Employment Law in Ohio State
Ohio Department of Commerce and Bureau of Workers' Compensation staff members work with local courts to enforce the state's labor and employment laws. Part-time and full-time workers are provided legal rights and protections under the laws. Employees and employers in the state who understand the laws can avoid fines and penalties.
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Minimum Wage
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All employees, excluding babysitters, live-in companions, youth-camp workers and people who work for their relatives, must receive at least minimum wages for services they provide employers in Ohio. As of March 2011, the standard minimum wage rate in Ohio was $7 an hour. Tipped workers must receive at least $3.50 an hour. If their tips and minimum wage do not equal the state's standard minimum wage rate, their employers must pay them the difference.
Overtime Pay
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Overtime pay is required after employees work more than 40 hours a week. Ohio does not require employers to pay employees overtime based on the number of hours an employee works in a day. The state's overtime rate is one and one-half times a worker's standard hourly pay rate. For example, a worker whose standard hourly rate is $60 an hour would receive $60 an hour for each hour she worked a week up to 40 hours. She would receive $90 an hour for all time in a week she worked above 40 hours. An exception to Ohio's overtime law applies to employers whose annual gross revenues are below $150,000. These employers are not required to pay their workers overtime.
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Workplace Safety
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Ohio employers must provide safe and sanitary workspaces for their employees. Reports of accidents are required as soon as they occur. Furthermore, employers must maintain records of workplace accidents and injuries for at least five years.
Minor Workers
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Teens between the ages of 14 and 18 years are required to get a worker's permit before they start employment in Ohio. It is illegal for teens younger than 14 years of age to work in the state. After minor employees have worked five consecutive hours, they must receive a 30-minute break. Workers between 14 and 15 years old cannot work before 7:00 a.m. or after 7:00 p.m. when school is in session. They also cannot work before 7:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m. when school is out of session. The most hours a week these teens can work is 18 when school is in session and 40 when school is out of session. When school is in session, 16- and 17-year-olds cannot work before 6:00 a.m. If they work after 8:00 p.m., they cannot start work before 7:00 a.m. They can work as many hours a week as they want whether school is in session or not.
Terminating Employees
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Because Ohio is an at-will state, employers are permitted to hire and terminate whomever they want. However, employers are not allowed to avoid hiring prospective employees or to terminate current workers because of their sex, age, disability, color, race, religion or national origin.
Whistle-blower Protection
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Workers who contact local, state or federal regulatory agencies to report wrongdoing by their employers are protected under Ohio whistle-blower laws. In other words, employers are prohibited from retaliating against these workers because they reported suspected or actual illegal activities at the organization.
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References
- Ohio Department of Commerce: Ohio Minor Labor Law
- Ohio Department of Commerce: Ohio Minimum Wage Laws
- Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation: Public Employment Risk Reduction Program (PERRP)
- Gordill & Gordill, LLC Attorneys at Law: Wrongful Discharge
- Gordill & Gordill, LLC Attorneys at Law: Whistleblowers
Resources
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