Navigating Salary Questions in Job Interviews
Experts weigh in on whether job applicants must disclose their current salary and what alternatives exist.
When seeking new employment, job applicants are not legally obligated to disclose their current salary or salary expectations, according to workplace advice experts. Employers are also prohibited from asking about protected characteristics such as age, disability, race, or gender, which can indirectly influence pay.
While there are no regulations preventing employers from asking about salary, a campaign known as #EndSalaryHistory previously urged companies to cease this practice. The Fawcett Society, an organization advocating for gender equality, argued that asking about previous salaries could perpetuate historic pay disparities related to gender, race, and disability. Instead of basing offers on skills, experience, and performance, this approach might lead employers to reward an individual's perceived worth or negotiation skills rather than their qualifications.
Louise Rudd, a senior advisor at Acas, a workplace advice and conciliation service, recommends that if employers choose to inquire about salary, they should ask all applicants the same questions to ensure fair treatment. Applicants who are uncomfortable disclosing their salary have alternatives.
Some individuals might opt to state their salary expectations or provide an estimated salary range for the position. Shazia Ejaz, director of campaigns at the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, advises jobseekers to approach pay discussions with both realism and confidence. She suggests that candidates should emphasize the value they bring to the role, highlight the benefits that are most important to them, and research the market rate for similar positions.
Jobseekers who have thoroughly researched salary benchmarks and can articulate their potential contributions are in the strongest position to negotiate a suitable compensation package. Some interviewees have considered inflating their previous salary figures, but experts caution that the potential risks of dishonesty in an interview may outweigh any possible benefits.