Effective January 1, 2025, employers with 15 or more employees must include a wage range and benefits in job postings. Employers must also notify all current employees of promotion opportunities within 14 days of an external posting, except for positions for state workers who are exempt from competitive selection. This rule applies to positions performed in Illinois or where employees report to an Illinois-based supervisor or office.
Notably, if a third party posts the job, they must also include this information, unless the employer fails to provide it.
A hyperlink to a publicly accessible webpage containing this information meets the requirement, and a general benefits description posted on an employer’s website with a reference in the job posting satisfies the benefits disclosure requirement.
Employers can still ask candidates about their salary expectations and must disclose wage ranges and benefits before any offer or compensation discussion upon the candidate’s request if the job was not publicly posted.
Additionally, employers cannot retaliate against applicants or employees for exercising their rights under the law.
Next Steps
Before the effective date, employers should review their compensation practices to ensure that wage ranges for open positions are competitive and aligned with industry and market data for effective employee retention. Employers must also update their job postings, employment applications, and recruitment practices to ensure that no inquiries are made about prior salary history.
Employers should train hiring managers and recruiters to avoid asking about prior salary history and to manage any questions or documentation related to wage information appropriately.
Multistate employers should also be aware of any additional obligations under state-specific wage disclosure and salary history laws.
HR Works will continue to monitor this topic and provide updates as additional information is made available.
How HR Works Can Help
HR Works offers comprehensive compensation and benchmarking services. Virtual HR Helpline subscribers receive five free benchmarks each year (with the option to purchase the additional benchmarks for a fee). Current HR Works clients may contact their HR Works Strategic Partner and Virtual Helpline subscribers can contact the helpline at hrhelp@hrwork-inc.com or 1-888-668-1271 for additional assistance. Non-HR Works clients who would like to learn more about these services and how to leverage our compliance expertise and support, may contact us at info@hrworks-inc.com or call 1-877-219-9062.
