New Hampshire Paycheck Fairness Act

Nationally and in New Hampshire, women earn 78 percent of what men earn. ¹ The Paycheck Fairness Act in New Hampshire (SB 207), which went into effect on January 1, 2015, looks to close the gender wage gap by allowing employees to discuss their salaries and identify employer discrimination without the threat of legal retribution. This report addresses three research questions: What actions does the New Hampshire Paycheck Fairness Act authorize to close the gender wage gap? How have similar states tried to ensure paycheck fairness? And what are some of the best practices in monitoring and enforcing pay equity for New Hampshire to consider? To answer these questions, this study will analyze the effect of the law within New Hampshire and employ case studies on policies across the nation. Thus, the goal is to present a comprehensive picture of New Hampshire’s role in eliminating the wage gap, and potential policy and implementation conclusions for the future. The report concludes by presenting some policy options for New Hampshire to consider, based on comparative case studies.