NEW YORKERS INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN HEARINGS ADDRESSING THE PANDEMIC’S IMPACT ON THE GENDER WAGE GAP

NYS Department of Labor to Host In-Person Public Hearings on Thursday, January 26 and Tuesday, January 31 to Inform Policy and Programmatic Updates

Hearings Will Explore the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Women in the Workforce

New Yorkers Can Now Register to Attend and/or Provide Testimony

Livestreams Available for Viewing Purposes - Jan. 26 Livestream - Jan. 31 Livestream

The New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) today announced a series of gender wage gap hearings to solicit feedback that will shape a 2023 report and policy recommendations. New Yorkers are encouraged to attend NYSDOL’s in-person public hearings to receive input from workers, worker representatives, employers, academics, and other stakeholders regarding the impact of COVID-19 on women in the workforce and the gender wage gap.

"In recent years, we had made significant progress addressing pay inequities for women in New York State, but the pandemic was a setback that disproportionately affected women, particularly single mothers and minorities. We must renew our efforts to address this issue," New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said. “COVID-19’s devastating grip put a strain on more than just our economy, and it is our job to see just how deep the wound is, especially for women and women of color who were already struggling beforehand.”

The NYSDOL report, titled “The Impact of COVID-19 on Women in the Workforce with an Update on 2023 Gender Wage Gap,” will be released in March 2023. It builds on the findings of the 2018 Gender Wage Gap report, co-chaired by Governor Kathy Hochul and Commissioner Reardon, which included a number of policy and programmatic recommendations to close the wage gap.

Hearing Information

• Thursday, January 26 beginning at 11 a.m. in the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building, Second Floor Community Room, (163 West 125th Street, New York, NY). | 26 Livestream Link
• Tuesday, January 31 beginning at 11 a.m. at the Empire State Plaza, Concourse Meeting Room 2-3, 100 S Mall Arterial, Albany, NY 12242. | Jan 31 Livestream Link
• Doors will open at 10:30 a.m. for both hearings.

Anyone wishing to provide testimony or attend should sign up through this secure registration form. There is also a space available on the form to provide written testimony, which must be submitted by February 15. At the live hearings, testimony will be given in the order people have registered. Media wishing to attend should RSVP through the same registration form. If attending, please bring identification for security purposes.

During the hearing, the public will have the opportunity to provide their feedback before a panel that will include Commissioner Reardon and other New York State government officials.

Governor Hochul has been and continues to be a forceful advocate for women's equality. Since taking office, the Governor has enacted pioneering legislation to protect reproductive rights, announced the largest investment in child care in state history, enacted a statewide pay transparency law to end pervasive pay gaps for women and people of color, and signed into law landmark bills to empower survivors of sexual violence and harassment. Governor Hochul’s recent proposal to raise the minimum wage annually and index it with inflation would be a boost for 900,000 workers, most of whom are women.

New York State has made many strides to advance pay equity in recent years, including enacting a Salary History Ban, which prohibits all employers — both public and private — from asking prospective or current employees about their salary history and compensation. NYSDOL also has free resources to help all job seekers, including a Salary Negotiation Guide to help New Yorkers make the most of their earning power.

NYSDOL will use testimony collected from these hearings to evaluate key factors impacting women in the workforce, including the wage gap, New York's childcare infrastructure, and other issues. The report will share findings outlining recommendations designed to empower women while also advancing New York State's diverse and robust economy.