Employment Law in Ohio
Ohio employment laws exist to insure fairness in the relationship between an employer and an employee. These laws protect workers from exploitation or unfair expectations while protecting employers against employee lethargy and dishonesty. A database of these laws can be found online through the official Ohio Bureau of Labor and Worker Safety website.
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Minimum Wage Laws
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Ohio minimum wage in 2011 is $7.40 per hour for non-tipped employees and $3.70 per hour for tipped employees. There are three exceptions to this law. Two of these exceptions apply to those who work for employers grossing $271,000 or less each year or those who are 14 to 15 years old. Ohio residents who fall into either of these categories are subject to the federal minimum wage, which in 2011 is $7.25 per hour.
The third exception applies to employers with a Work Activity Center Program, Sheltered Workshop Program, On-The-Job Training Temporary Individual, Individual Regular Business or Industry, or Individual Program Rate in a Facility license. Such employers may pay physically or mentally handicapped employees less than the minimum wage.
Youth Employment Laws
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Youth employment laws apply to employees who are under the age of 18. The youngest age at which Ohio residents may be employed is 14. Ohio law recognizes two separate groups of minors with regards to child labor. These groups are 14- to 15-year-olds and 16- to 17-year-olds. All employees aged 14 to 17 must have a work permit.
Youth employment laws in Ohio stipulate how many hours per week minors of each age group are allowed to work per week and per day, and during which hours of the day each group may work. Other laws concern occupations from which minors are barred for safety concerns, the number of breaks minors must be given per shift, and employer record keeping practices with regards to employees under the age of 18.
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Prevailing Wage Law
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Prevailing wage laws relate directly to independent contractor employment. As per Ohio law, all employers under contract from the state will pay all employers the prevailing wage as directed by the Department of Commerce. Prevailing wage refers to the market standard paid for a certain type of work. For instance, a contractor working on a public works project cannot pay an electrician $10 per hour if the going rate for an electrician in private industry is $20 per hour.
Any employer under state contract found violating the prevailing wage for a given project as stipulated by the state will be placed on a barred list. Employers on this list are prohibited from any future work for the state.
Other Employment Laws
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Employers with an annual gross of more than $150,000 are bound by law to overtime pay to employees working more than 40 hours in a seven-day period. Overtime pay is to be 1 1/2 times a given worker's standard hourly rate. The Ohio Civil Rights Commission prohibits employers from discrimination in hiring practices or the work place on the basis of race, ethnicity, sex, gender, disability, or any similar trait. Employers are required to provide worker's compensation to employees who suffer work-related injuries provided such a claim is valid.
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