Ghost jobs are becoming a target for lawmakers as job seekers face growing numbers of listings that companies never intend to fill.
New Jersey and Pennsylvania lawmakers have proposed bills requiring employers to provide hiring timelines and remove listings after positions are filled. New York passed legislation in April that would fine companies $2,500 per ghost listing, rising to $5,000 if it remains uncorrected after 30 days. The bill still needs the governor’s signature, according to Korn Ferry.
Texas also opened a July investigation into a major job board over whether it profits from fake listings.
The practice is widespread. A 2024 Resume Builder survey found that 40% of hiring managers said their company had posted a fake job within the previous year.
Why Companies Post Jobs They Don’t Fill
Some listings are deliberately used to build candidate pipelines, identify available talent or gather information for workforce planning. Others become ghost jobs unintentionally. Hiring plans can change, managers may raise their requirements or companies may fill positions internally while leaving external postings active.
HR cuts can make the problem worse. With fewer people maintaining job listings, outdated openings may remain online longer.
Companies Risk Losing Candidates’ Trust
New regulations could force employers to remove inactive listings more quickly and provide greater transparency around hiring timelines.
Companies also face a reputational risk. Repeatedly advertising positions that never lead to hiring can make candidates question whether other openings are legitimate, potentially making an already difficult hiring market even harder to navigate.
