Both chambers of the Washington State Legislature passed Senate Bill 5761, which requires the inclusion of salary ranges and general benefit descriptions in all job postings from businesses with 15 or more employees. Currently, employers are only required to provide salary information when making a job offer and if the applicant asks for it. If the governor signs the bill into law, it will go into effect on January 1, 2023.

Employers often offer more than the position would usually pay in the current job market. If an employer lists the salary between $50,000 and $80,000 and then offers more than $80,000 to entice the applicant, the employer would be in violation of the law. The reverse is also true. If a candidate did not have all of the qualifications for the job, but the employer was willing to hire and train them on the job with an understanding of a pay increase at a later date, this would also be a practice in violation of the law. Eventually, employers will be forced to post wide salary ranges, such as $40,000 to $140,000, to give themselves flexibility when offering a job to a prospective employee.

If SB 5761 becomes law, undoubtedly, there will be increased confusion in the hiring process and more frustration for employers and applicants alike.