The job market can be a treacherous landscape, with employers sometimes posting vacancies that don’t actually exist. These so-called “ghost jobs” are a growing concern on both sides of the Atlantic, with studies finding that up to 34% of advertised positions in the UK may not be genuine.
Eric Thompson, a tech worker in the US, has been at the forefront of efforts to address this issue. After being made redundant and struggling to find a new role, he realised that some of the job postings he was applying for were nothing more than phantoms. Determined to tackle the problem, Thompson has been meeting with members of the US Congress to push for the introduction of the Truth in Job Advertising & Accountability Act.
This proposed legislation would require employers to include expiration dates for job listings, maintain auditable hiring records, and face penalties for posting misleading or non-existent roles. Thompson has also started a petition that has garnered over 50,000 signatures, with many job seekers sharing stories of how “ghost jobs” have eroded their confidence and taken a toll on their mental health.
The issue is not limited to the US, however. In Canada, the province of Ontario is leading the way in addressing the problem. From 1 January 2026, companies will be required to disclose whether an advertised vacancy is actively being filled. Ontario is also tackling the separate issue of “ghosting,” where employers fail to respond to applicants, by mandating that firms with more than 25 employees must reply to anyone they have interviewed within 45 days.
Elsewhere, the situation remains less clear-cut. While the New Jersey and California state legislatures are also exploring bans on ghost jobs, the UK has yet to take any concrete steps to address the problem. Ailiish Davies, a job seeker from Leicester, describes the experience of being “ghosted” by employers as “soul-destroying,” highlighting the emotional toll it can take on those searching for work.
Jasmine Escalera, a career coach and recruitment expert based in Miami, suggests that some companies may be posting ghost jobs to create the impression of growth or to obtain and sell data. However, she warns that this practice is distorting the picture of the job market, making it more difficult for policymakers to develop effective support for job seekers and employees.
As the issue of ghost jobs continues to gain attention, the call for greater transparency and accountability in the recruitment process grows louder. With the potential for legislation and regulatory changes, there is hope that the scourge of phantom job postings can be tackled, restoring confidence and fairness to the job market.