New York Legislators Passed Ghost Job Posting Bill
The state legislation aims to curb misleading job advertisements by imposing fines on companies with 100 or more employees.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Job Search
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In June 2026, the New York state Legislature passed a bill requiring companies with 100 or more employees to provide accurate timelines for job openings. The legislation seeks to address the prevalence of ghost job postings that persist online even after positions are filled.
Why it matters
The bill aims to stop companies from using fake postings to bolster their corporate image or collect resumes for future needs. By mandating transparency, the law attempts to reduce the time wasted by job applicants on positions that do not actually exist.
Companies with 100 or more employees must remove filled listings within two weeks or face a $2,500 fine per post. Fines double for any listing left unpaid after an audit.
The players
Kathy Hochul
The current Governor of New York is responsible for reviewing and potentially signing the ghost job legislation into law.
Indeed
This global employment website facilitates job searches and met with the governor's office to discuss the legislation.
New York state Department of Labor
This state agency is slated to oversee the violation process and conduct compliance audits of job postings.
The details
Under the new rules, job postings must explicitly state intended fill dates and current availability. The state Department of Labor is tasked with auditing companies and third-party entities, including print want ads, to ensure compliance with these transparency standards.
Timeline
A 2024 survey revealed that 40% of employers have posted ghost job advertisements.
Indeed outlined its internal policy regarding ghost job postings in May 2026.
The New York state Legislature passed the ghost job bill in June 2026.
Indeed officials held meetings with the governor's office in July or August 2026.
Market Landscape
This legislation aligns with broader efforts to regulate digital marketplaces by extending consumer protection statutes to labor recruitment. The move positions New York as a leader in addressing the transparency gap between recruiters and the growing pool of online job seekers.
Job seekers can expect greater clarity in job listings as companies are forced to update or remove closed positions. For applicants, this reduces the time spent applying to outdated or non-existent roles.
The takeaway
Transparency in hiring helps ensure that applicants focus their efforts on authentic opportunities currently available in the market. Readers should look for posted fill dates on listings to gauge the legitimacy of a job advertisement.
Further reading
For more information on the current regulatory environment for applicants, visit the Job Search section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Times Union.
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