Council committee advances pay‑equity ordinance banning salary-history questions and requiring posted salary ranges

The Finance, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee approved Ordinance 104-2025, which enacts new city code sections barring employer inquiries into an applicant’s salary history and requiring employers to include a salary range in job postings for positions in the City of Cleveland.

Council and staff described the ordinance’s purpose as narrowing gender and racial pay gaps. The committee cited county employment data showing women working full time in Cuyahoga County earned roughly 82 cents on the dollar compared with men in 2023, with wider gaps by race. The ordinance mirrors policies adopted in at least 21 states and several Ohio cities (including Columbus, Toledo and Cincinnati), and committee speakers said research shows similar measures tend to raise women’s pay without reducing men’s wages.

Policy staff and advocates at the table said enforcement will be handled by the Fair Employment Wage Board. The ordinance includes civil penalties for violations, starting at $1,000 and up to $5,000 for repeat offenses; the board’s first approach is enforcement through education and remediation with employers and employees before escalating to fines. Committee discussion highlighted community partners, including the Cleveland Pay Equity Alliance, Northeast Ohio Hispanic Center for Economic Development, Plexus (LGBTQIA Chamber of Commerce) and worker advocates involved in drafting and supporting the measure.

The committee approved the ordinance and asked staff to proceed; the transcript recorded committee approval but did not record a roll‑call vote. Council members asked the administration to prepare enforcement guidance and outreach for employers to support compliance.