🔍 The Problem

Despite decades of progress, systemic workplace inequality persists for women in New York. Many are paid less than their male counterparts for equal work. Others face unspoken coercion tied to promotions, inappropriate suggestions in exchange for career advancement, or retaliation for speaking up. These injustices disproportionately impact women of color and women in lower-income or customer-facing roles.

✅ The Solution: WEEA

The Women’s Equity & Empowerment Act (WEEA) is a comprehensive reform package that will:

1. Pay Transparency Requirements

• All job and promotion postings must include salary ranges.
• Employers prohibited from penalizing workers who discuss compensation.
• Companies with more than 25 employees must report gender-based wage statistics annually.

2. Promotion Equity Audits

• Independent, state-led audits of promotional practices in medium and large businesses.
• Anonymous employee surveys to flag patterns of favoritism, coercion, or sexualized power dynamics.
• Violations trigger mandatory retraining, fines, and public disclosure.

3. Mandatory Workplace Consent & Power Training

• All supervisory employees must complete certified training on ethical promotion practices and identifying manipulation.
• Training must be renewed every 2 years and tracked by the state.

4. Anonymous Reporting & Equity Hotline

• Creation of a secure digital portal and hotline — the BETTR Equity Line — to allow workers to report violations without fear of retaliation.
• Reports can be made anonymously, and all claims must be investigated within 30 days.

5. Equal Pay Enforcement Division

• Establishment of a new division within the NY Department of Labor dedicated to enforcing pay equity.
• This division will have subpoena power, legal authority to sue repeat offenders, and coordinate with federal agencies.

🧠 Why It Matters

Women are the backbone of New York’s economy — as professionals, parents, entrepreneurs, and essential workers. If they’re still being underpaid, harassed, or forced to navigate inappropriate power dynamics to advance, we haven’t truly evolved. WEEA sends a message: exploitation ends here. Equal dignity, equal pay, equal opportunity — nothing less.