Thomson v. Boss Excavating & Grading, Inc.

# Thomson v. Boss Excavating & Grading, Inc. **What Happened** Thomson worked for Boss Excavating & Grading, Inc. and claimed the company wrongfully fired him in violation of public policy. Specifically, Thomson argued his discharge violated Ohio's prevailing wage law, which requires certain employers to pay workers a legally set minimum wage for public construction projects. **What the Court Decided** The appeals court reversed the trial court's initial decision and ruled against Thomson. The court found insufficient evidence to support Thomson's wrongful discharge claim. While the court acknowledged that prevailing wage laws protect workers' rights, it determined that Thomson had not presented enough proof that his firing was connected to these protections. **Why This Matters for Workers** This case shows that while Ohio law does protect workers who report prevailing wage violations or refuse illegal pay practices, workers must gather strong evidence linking their termination to these protected activities. Simply being fired is not enough—workers need to prove the employer fired them *because* they stood up for their wage rights. Without solid documentation, even legitimate complaints may not survive in court.