Delete WardApr 28, 2025
A new Pay Transparency ordinance recently passed by Cleveland City Council (4/28) will significantly change how employers approach job postings and salary discussions. The law goes into effect in 180 days and applies to businesses with 15 or more employees.
Under the new law:
- Employers are prohibited from asking job applicants about their current or previous salaries during the hiring process.
- All formal job postings must include salary ranges or pay scales, helping ensure greater transparency and fairness for job seekers.
The law aims to address longstanding wage disparities, particularly those affecting women and people of color. Activists say Cleveland’s legislation is stronger than similar measures passed in Cincinnati, Columbus, and Toledo. And about 20 states and several large municipalities have enacted them. It was sponsored by Council members Jasmin Santana, Charles Slife, and Stephanie Howse-Jones.
Economic research has found that, following Salary History Bans, employers posted wages more often and increased pay for job-changers overall by 4.1%, with even larger increases for women (6.2%) and nonwhite's (5.9%).
Wage Protections for City-Funded Work
Cleveland also continues to fight wage theft, which occurs when workers are denied lawful wages, such as being paid below minimum wage or not being paid for overtime. The city mandates that employees working for the city or companies with city contracts receive a fair employment wage, currently set at $15.85 per hour, or $32,968 annually for salaried workers.
Enforcement and Penalties
The Fair Wage Employment Board will oversee enforcement. Employers who violate the new pay transparency laws could face fines of up to $5,000 per offense. Ord. No. 104-2025