Prevalence and Impact of Ghost Job Postings in US, UK, and Canada
Ghost jobs, vacancies advertised without the intention to hire, pose a significant issue in the US, UK, and Germany. These listings may already be filled or may never have existed. Studies show a notable prevalence, with a US-focused Greenhouse study finding up to 22% of online job ads last year lacking hiring intent, while a UK study places this figure at 34%.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics data for August revealed 7.2 million vacancies alongside only 5.1 million hires, highlighting a misalignment between job postings and actual recruitment.
Addressing this, Eric Thompson, a US tech job seeker, has formed a working group and drafted The Truth in Job Advertising & Accountability Act. This proposed legislation aims to impose expiration dates on job listings, mandate auditable hiring records, and introduce penalties for non-compliance. A petition supporting this act has garnered over 50,000 signatures. Meanwhile, New Jersey and California legislatures are considering bans on ghost jobs.
In Ontario, Canada, new regulations effective from 1 January require companies to disclose whether an advertised vacancy is actively being filled. Additionally, firms with more than 25 employees must respond to interviewed candidates within 45 days. However, concerns remain about enforcement and compliance monitoring.
In contrast, the UK currently lacks legal requirements to reply to candidates or actively curb ghost job postings, with jobseekers reporting widespread poor responsiveness from employers.
The motivations for ghost postings include creating talent pools, inflating corporate growth narratives, and collecting or selling data. Experts warn these practices distort labour market statistics and policy decisions unless addressed.
Jobseekers are encouraged to network with hiring managers to verify genuine openings and remain vigilant for red flags such as repeated postings or listings that remain open for extended periods.
