Ohio Employment Law
Ohio Civil Rights Act covers employers with 4+ employees. The Employment Law Uniformity Act (H.B. 352, effective 2021-04-15) requires filing a charge with the OCRC within 2 years and exhausting that process before suing. Since then supervisors and coworkers generally cannot be sued personally for discrimination (R.C. 4112.08), except for retaliation and aiding-and-abetting claims or a supervisor who is the employer.
At-Will
Yes
Right-to-Work
No
EEOC Deadline
180–300 days
depends on the basis
Min. Wage
$11.00
Ohio State Laws (7)
OH CRA
Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §§ 4112.01-4112.99
The Ohio Civil Rights Act prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, military status, national origin, disability, age (40+), and ancestry. The Act covers employers with four or more employees. Under the Employment Law Uniformity Act (H.B. 352, effective April 15, 2021), an employee must file a charge with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission within two years of the alleged discriminatory practice and exhaust that administrative process before filing a civil action.
Protected Classes
Key Provisions
- ✓Covers employers with 4 or more employees, lower than the federal 15-employee threshold
- ✓Since H.B. 352 (2021): a charge is filed with the OCRC within 2 years. A lawsuit generally has to wait for that process or a right-to-sue notice; there are exceptions, so confirm with the OCRC or an attorney
- ✓Includes military status as a protected class; does not include sexual orientation or gender identity at the state level
Remedies
OH Equal Pay
Ohio Rev. Code § 4111.17
Prohibits wage discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, or ancestry for equal work on jobs requiring equal skill, effort, and responsibility under similar working conditions.
Protected Classes
Key Provisions
- ✓Prohibits wage discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, or ancestry for equal work on jobs requiring equal skill, effort, and responsibility under similar working conditions.
Remedies
OH Mass Layoff Notice
N/A (no Ohio mini-WARN; federal WARN governs)
Ohio has no state mini-WARN Act; mass layoffs and plant closings are governed solely by the federal WARN Act. Ohio Rev. Code § 4141.28 requires notice to ODJFS for unemployment processing but does not create employee notice rights.
Protected Classes
Key Provisions
- ✓Ohio has no state mini-WARN Act; mass layoffs and plant closings are governed solely by the federal WARN Act. Ohio Rev. Code § 4141.28 requires notice to ODJFS for unemployment processing but does not create employee notice rights.
Remedies
OH Minimum Fair Wage
Ohio Rev. Code Ch. 4111
Establishes Ohio minimum wage (constitutionally indexed annually under Ohio Const. Art. II, § 34a) and overtime requirements paralleling FLSA. As of 2026 the rate exceeds federal minimum. Provides private right of action for unpaid wages, overtime, retaliation.
Protected Classes
Key Provisions
- ✓Establishes Ohio minimum wage (constitutionally indexed annually under Ohio Const. Art. II, § 34a) and overtime requirements paralleling FLSA. As of 2026 the rate exceeds federal minimum. Provides private right of action for unpaid wages, overtime, retaliation.
Remedies
OH Prompt Pay
Ohio Rev. Code §§ 4113.15, 4113.16
Requires employers to pay all wages owed on regular paydays at least semi-monthly. Late payment of wages is subject to liquidated damages of 6% of unpaid wages or $200, whichever is greater.
Protected Classes
Key Provisions
- ✓Requires employers to pay all wages owed on regular paydays at least semi-monthly. Late payment of wages is subject to liquidated damages of 6% of unpaid wages or $200, whichever is greater.
Remedies
OH Workers Compensation Anti-Retaliation
Ohio Rev. Code § 4123.90
Prohibits discharge, demotion, reassignment, or punishment of an employee because the employee filed a workers' compensation claim or instituted/pursued a workers' compensation proceeding.
Protected Classes
Key Provisions
- ✓Prohibits discharge, demotion, reassignment, or punishment of an employee because the employee filed a workers' compensation claim or instituted/pursued a workers' compensation proceeding.
Remedies
OH Whistleblower Protection
Ohio Rev. Code § 4113.52
Protects employees who report violations of state or federal law that the employee reasonably believes is a criminal offense likely to cause imminent risk of physical harm or hazard to public health/safety, or a felony. Employee must first report to supervisor in writing and give employer 24 hours to correct, before reporting externally.
Protected Classes
Key Provisions
- ✓Protects employees who report violations of state or federal law that the employee reasonably believes is a criminal offense likely to cause imminent risk of physical harm or hazard to public health/safety, or a felony. Employee must first report to supervisor in writing and give employer 24 hours to correct, before reporting externally.
Remedies
Federal Laws That Apply in Ohio
These federal statutes protect workers nationwide, including in Ohio. The EEOC filing deadline is 180 days; 300 days may apply when Ohio's agency enforces a law covering the same basis — each card below shows the window for that statute, and any bases that stay at 180.
Check which laws apply to your situation in Ohio
Our free assessment identifies applicable federal, state, and local protections based on your specific circumstances.
Check My RightsThis information is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.Ohio laws are subject to legislative changes. Consult a qualified employment attorney in Ohio for advice about your specific situation. Last reviewed: April 2026.