Columbus hears pay-transparency ordinance; enforcement delayed to 2027

Columbus City Council held a public hearing Oct. 23 on proposed pay-transparency legislation that would require employers who recruit for jobs that will largely take place in Columbus to include a reasonable salary range in job postings. Councilmember Barroso de Padilla opened the hearing and said the measure builds on a 2023 salary-history ban "because in Columbus, we do not want pay disparities to follow anyone from job to job."

The ordinance would amend Columbus City Code chapter 2335 to add a pay-transparency requirement. Senior legislative analyst Kirsten Lisonbee told council the code would require employers to "provide a reasonable salary range or scale for potential employment in employment postings," and that "by reasonable, we mean a good faith estimate or a realistic expectation." Lisonbee said the proposal lists factors for determining reasonableness, including employer budget flexibility, anticipated applicant experience, variations in responsibilities and local cost of living.

Why it matters: witnesses and advocates at the hearing said the change would help reduce pay inequities — especially for women and people of color — and save time and recruiting costs for employers.…