Why You Shouldn’t Ask About Salary History When Hiring

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Hiring managers, here’s something you need to be aware of: An increasing number of provincial governments - not to mention the Canadian federal government - are passing legislation to help close gaps in pay. From pay equity and pay transparency legislation, to bolstering women-led business and reworking parental leave, our leaders are committed to shrinking the wage gap. Our neighbours to the south have enacted their own laws to combat this ongoing issue. A number of states and cities are prohibiting potential employers from asking job candidates about their salary history. And it seems likely that more cities and states (and Canada?) will enact similar legislation in the future.

So, while it's still legal to ask potential candidates their current salary in Canada, it might be best simply to avoid these types of inquiries altogether when trying to determine compensation levels for new hires. So just take the question off the table.

You should set a pay range in advance and stick to it when hiring for a position. The range should be based on the skill set and experience required and what the market demands, not on what candidates you interview have earned before.

In fact, communicating in advance to candidates the pay range you’ve set can actually enhance your hiring process. It can weed out applicants who aren’t satisfied with what you’re offering. And, if you struggle to attract suitable applicants, it could alert you early that your pay range isn’t realistic.

Be sure to use reputable resources when setting pay ranges. Among the best are the Salary Guides from Robert Half.

The compensation figures in our guides are based on actual placements made by our recruiters and their knowledge of the latest market conditions and hiring trends. Robert Half has published our Salary Guides every year for decades, so you can be confident you’re getting reliable and timely data.

With our guides, you don’t have to rely on national or industry averages either; we report starting salary ranges for each position by percentile, based on candidate experience level and skills, as well as the complexity of the job duties. The Robert Half Salary Guide also allow you to fine-tune salary ranges to your city.

Laws can change and evolve over time. The important thing when you’re entering into salary discussions is to focus on the compensation range you’ve set for the position, not a candidate’s past pay. You’ll increase your chances of offering a compelling salary that attracts talented applicants, and you’ll stay out of hot water.

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