One in Five Job Postings Is a Ghost. Legislators Are Starting to Notice.

Hiring platform Greenhouse found that 18–22% of job postings in any given quarter are ghost jobs — roles where no hire is intended. Nearly 70% of companies posted at least one. Forbes estimates the practice costs candidates 8–12 hours per application and employers roughly $8,000 in panel time per mid-level search, all to document a decision that was already made. The response is turning legislative. New York’s S8877 ghost jobs bill passed both houses on June 2, 2026 and now awaits Governor Hochul’s signature. If signed, employers with 100+ staff must label every posting as a current vacancy (with a fill-by date), a future vacancy, or resume collection — with fines starting at $2,500 per violation per platform. Ontario’s anti-ghosting rules, requiring interview notification within 45 days, took effect January 1, 2026. Pennsylvania has a similar ghost jobs bill proposed. The era of invisible job posts may be nearing its end.