Ohio Employment Laws
In Ohio, employers are required to follow both federal and state minimum wage laws.
As of January 1, 2021, the minimum wage is $8.80 per hour for non-tipped employees and $4.40 per hour for tipped employees provided they earn enough in tips to meet the minimum wage requirement.
Employers must provide employees with a minimum of 30 minutes of rest for every five consecutive hours worked.
Additionally, certain employees may be exempt from minimum wage and/or overtime requirements if they meet the criteria under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
For example, employees who are classified as "exempt" under the FLSA's "white collar" exemptions may not be entitled to overtime pay, even if they work more than 40 hours per week.
Ohio also enforces laws related to employment discrimination, workplace safety, and workers' compensation, which employers must adhere to in order to provide a safe and fair workplace for their employees.
If an employer violates any of these laws, an employee may file a complaint with the Ohio Department of Commerce or the U.S. Department of Labor. In some cases, an employee may also be entitled to file a lawsuit against their employer to recover damages for any unpaid wages, or other violations of their rights.
To ensure compliance with Ohio employment laws, employers should consult with an experienced employment lawyer and keep up-to-date on any changes to state and federal laws. They should also develop written policies and procedures for handling wage and hour issues, as well as other employment-related matters, and provide regular training for managers and supervisors to ensure they follow these policies and procedures.
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