Columbus Labor Law Attorneys

The labor laws in Ohio are designed to protect employees and employers alike. While the state has many of its own laws, there are several cases in which the Ohio Statutes do not mention certain employment issues. In these cases, employers are governed by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. Although both the state and federal laws are quite strict, employers still sometimes violate them and cause harm to employees as a result. When that is the case, any wronged employee should speak to our Columbus labor law attorneys.

Minimum Wage

Ohio has its own minimum wage law, and the wage provided is higher than the one outlined by federal law. All employers in the state must pay their employees the minimum wage outlined by state law. The minimum wage in Ohio changes every year to reflect the rate of inflation.

Overtime Pay

Most employees in Columbus and throughout the rest of Ohio are entitled to overtime pay when they work more than 40 hours in one workweek. Some employees are exempt from this law, such as salaried employees. However, employers sometimes misclassify employees or simply outright deny overtime pay when an employee has rightfully earned it.

Meal and Rest Breaks

Many employers in the state offer meal and rest breaks to their employees in recognition of the fact that workers are generally more productive when they are not tired or hungry. In Ohio, however, employers are not required to provide these breaks. Only employees under the age of 18 are required to have a 30-minute break after they have worked five hours or more. 

When employers allow workers over the age of 18 to have meal and rest breaks, they must pay for that break if it is only for 20 minutes or less. Employers do not have to pay for breaks that exceed that time. Any break that is 30 minutes or longer must be uninterrupted and employees cannot be asked to perform work during that time.

Paid Time Off

Neither federal nor state law requires employers to provide paid vacation time, sick time, holiday pay, or any other paid time off. Employees must be able to take unpaid leave to serve on a jury or to vote in an election.

Severance Pay

Although many employers offer their employees severance pay in the event that the worker leaves their position, not all employers do. Under the law, employers are not expected to provide any severance pay.

Our Ohio Labor Law Attorneys Can Help with Your Case

The labor laws in Ohio and throughout the rest of the country are extremely complex. Many employees are not aware of their rights, which makes it easier for employers to violate them. If you feel as though your employer has violated any state or federal labor laws, our Columbus labor law attorneys can help. At Marshall Forman & Schlein LLC, we are dedicated to helping employees when their rights are not upheld in the workplace, and we want to help you, too. Call us today or fill out our online form to schedule a consultation with one of our knowledgeable attorneys.