New law requires State Contractors to secure Equal Pay Certifications beginning Aug. 1

ST. PAUL, MN - Beginning Aug. 1, some Minnesota State Contractors will be required to obtain an Equal Pay Certificate from the Minnesota Department of Human Rights prior to executing a contract.

The new Equal Pay Certificate law signed by Governor Mark Dayton on Mother's Day to close the gender pay gap by ensuring there is no discrimination in pay by Minnesota state contractors. Currently, women in Minnesota make on average 80 cents for every $1 dollar a man makes. WESA will reduce the gender pay gap through increased enforcement of equal pay laws for state contractors.

The new law requires businesses with 40 or more employees seeking state contracts of over $500,000 to certify they are paying employees equal wages, regardless of gender. Contractors will also have to certify there are no pay gaps between men and women by job class.

"We have made progress in eliminating disparities in pay since the Equal Pay Act of 1963 was signed into law by President John F. Kennedy," Commissioner Kevin Lindsey said. "This is a step to ensure businesses working on Minnesota State Contracts are complying with equal pay laws. Minnesota businesses have responded positively to the change and are working to comply with the states simplified application process."

Obtaining an Equal Pay Certificate from the Department of Human Rights consists of three simple steps:

• Submit a statement of equal pay compliance application form by the organization's Chief Executive Officer.
• Submit the $150 application fee
• Then, mail the application materials to MDHR.

MDHR will host a Equal Pay Certificate webinar at 10:30 a.m. on Aug. 7 on Equal Pay Certifications for state contractors.The webinar will feature MDHR Commissioner Kevin Lindsey and Assistant Commissioner Tim Flynn regarding the Equal Pay certification and the audit process. Register now on the MDHR website. MDHR posted a video and answered your most frequently asked questions on the MDHR website.