2021 FL legislation session: graveyard for employment-related proposals?

Each year, Florida legislators meet for just 60 days to propose and pass new laws. This year, they’re in session through the end of April, and a number of employment-related bills have been introduced. Many are proposed for the first time to lay the groundwork for possible passage years down the road, while others are just wishes that may never be granted. In the rush of business, most proposed bills end up in the legislative graveyard. It’s always interesting, however, to consider how the proposals (if passed) might affect your workplaces.

Wage discrimination

House Bill (HB) 0107, also known as the Senator Helen Gordon Fair Pay Protection Act, would amend Florida’s private-sector whistleblower law to prohibit discrimination and retaliation against any employee who:

• Discusses or discloses her own wages;
• Inquires about a coworker’s wages; or
• Asks the employer to provide a reason for the amount of the wages being paid.

HB 0107 also would prohibit an employer from relying on the wage or salary history of a current, former, or prospective employee in determining her wages. You couldn’t ask for the information as a condition of (1) being interviewed, (2) continuing to be considered for a job offer, or (3) extending an offer.

The bill also has extensive restrictions and protections against sex-based pay discrimination.

Pregnancy discrimination