Who’s Covered?
The new rules apply to employers whose applicants would work in Cleveland or if any part of their application process takes place in the city, including submission, review, or consideration, regardless of whether the applicant is interviewed. Nearly all types of employment are covered, including temporary, seasonal, and part-time positions. Independent contractors are excluded.
Key Requirements:
· Ban on Salary History Inquiries: Employers may not ask about or rely on a candidate’s salary history when hiring or negotiating compensation.
· Mandatory Pay Ranges: Job postings must disclose the salary range or scale.
· No Retaliation: Applicants cannot be penalized for refusing to share salary history.
Exceptions do apply for internal transfers, voluntary disclosures, positions covered by collective bargaining agreements, and federal, state, and local government positions that are not the City of Cleveland.
Enforcement will be handled by Cleveland’s Fair Employment and Wage Board. First-time violations may be cured before fines are imposed ($1,000–$5,000 range).
Action Steps for employers include updating job postings, revising hiring policies, training interviewers, and establishing documented, non-salary-based criteria for pay decisions.
Stay Alert as these changes follow similar laws in Cincinnati, Columbus, and Toledo, and employers should expect continued local momentum toward pay transparency.
If you have questions about the City of Cleveland’s new pay transparency requirements or would like to review your hiring and compliance practices, our team is available to support you. At K|W|W , your workforce is our priority.