Labor panel endorses 5 workplace bills
Two bills aimed at bolstering the state's gender pay equity law and strengthening protections for pregnant women in the workplace were among five pieces of legislation advanced through the committee process by lawmakers Thursday.
In a poll of its members that ended at noon, the Labor and Workforce Development Committee favorably reported the bills, while also advancing legislation that would outlaw discrimination based on height and weight, limit indemnity and insurance responsibilities for general contractors and subcontractors in construction work, and increase protection from abusive work environments.
The pay equity bill clarifies terminology in the current statute to better define "comparable work." It also outlaws employers from forbidding employees to discuss their salaries with other employees, and requires employers to include the minimum the job pays when advertising a position. It also extends the time a worker has to file a claim of wage discrimination from one year to three.
The committee voted 13-0 to send a favorable report, with two members opting not to cast a vote in favor or in opposition at the time.
The business trade group Associated Industries of Massachusetts opposes the bill, telling lawmakers in testimony that the bill is "unworkable" and emphasizing instead "collaborative approaches to address workplace issues" such as The Boston Women's Compact with the City of Boston and the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development's Women in the Workplace Initiative.
By a 12-0 vote, and with three members choosing not to cast a favorable or unfavorable vote, the committee also gave a favorable report to a bill that would prohibit an employer from denying "reasonable accommodations" for a job applicant or employee related to pregnancy or childbirth, unless the employer can demonstrate that the accommodation would impose an undue hardship.
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