Ohio Worker Rights
Ohio has a state minimum wage above federal that rises with inflation, a state prevailing wage law, and federal OSHA for private employers.
- Ohio
Pay
- Minimum wage: above the federal rate for larger employers and adjusted every January.
- Overtime: 1.5x over 40 hours a week.
- Payday: most employees must be paid at least twice a month.
- Prevailing wage: required on many state and local public improvement projects.
Breaks and leave
- No state law requiring meal or rest breaks for adults.
- No state paid sick leave law, and state law blocks local mandates.
Unions and right-to-work
Ohio is not a right-to-work state, so a union contract can require covered workers to pay at least a fee for representation. Private-sector workers have the right to organize under federal law. See Your Right to Organize.
Where to file
- Unpaid wages and overtime: Ohio Department of Commerce, Wage and Hour Administration.
- Discrimination and harassment: Ohio Civil Rights Commission, or the U.S. EEOC.
- Safety: Federal OSHA covers private employers. See Ohio safety rules.
- Work injuries: report the injury to your employer right away, in writing, and follow up with Ohio’s workers’ compensation agency. See Workers’ Compensation.
Check current rules: this is a summary. Wage rates and labor laws change often, usually on January 1 or July 1, and cities and counties can add their own rules. Confirm details with the Ohio Department of Commerce before acting. Federal protections apply too. See Where to Get Help.
Standards & references
Last updated: