Ohio Employment Law — full calculator

Frequently Asked Questions

• What are Ohio's overtime rules in 2026?

  Ohio O.R.C. §4111.03 follows the federal FLSA 40-hour weekly threshold: non-exempt employees earn 1.5× their regular rate for each hour over 40 in a workweek. There is no daily overtime trigger. Ohio's minimum wage of $11.00/hour (as of 2026) sets the minimum overtime rate at $16.50/hour — more than 50% above the federal OT minimum. Applies to employers with annual gross receipts over $405,000.

• When must Ohio employers issue a final paycheck?

  Under Ohio O.R.C. §4113.15, final wages are due on the employer's next regularly scheduled payday — the same deadline applies whether the employee was fired, laid off, or resigned. There is no same-day rule. The federal FLSA imposes no specific deadline, so Ohio's Prompt Pay Act governs.

• What penalty applies if an Ohio employer pays the final paycheck late?

  If wages remain unpaid for 30 days beyond the regularly scheduled payday, Ohio O.R.C. §4113.15 entitles the employee to liquidated damages equal to the greater of 6% of the unpaid wage amount or $200. For example, on $3,000 owed, the penalty is $200 (since 6% = $180 < $200 floor); on $5,000, the penalty is $300 (6% = $300 > $200).

• Are non-compete agreements enforceable in Ohio?

  Ohio does not ban non-competes by statute. Courts apply the common-law reasonableness test established in Raimonde v. Van Vlerah (1975): an agreement is enforceable only if it is no greater than necessary to protect a legitimate business interest, does not impose undue hardship on the employee, and is not injurious to the public. Courts may blue-pencil (judicially narrow) overly broad clauses rather than voiding them entirely.

• Does Ohio require meal or rest breaks?

  Ohio does not mandate meal or rest breaks for adult employees (18+). The FLSA is similarly silent on adult break requirements. The only state-law exception is for minor employees (under 18): Ohio requires a 30-minute uninterrupted break after 5 consecutive hours worked. Employers who voluntarily provide breaks of 20 minutes or less must generally pay employees for that time under federal rules.

• Does Ohio have a state-mandated paid sick leave law?

  No. Ohio has no state law requiring private-sector employers to provide paid or unpaid sick leave. Leave policies for private employers are entirely at the employer's discretion. Ohio public employees are covered under O.R.C. §124.38, which provides accrual of 4.6 hours of sick leave per 80 hours worked. No Ohio municipality had enacted a local paid sick leave ordinance as of 2026.

• What is Ohio's minimum wage in 2026?

  Ohio's minimum wage increased to $11.00/hour on January 1, 2026, for non-tipped employees at employers with annual gross receipts over $405,000. Tipped employees earn a cash wage of $5.50/hour, with tips required to bring total hourly earnings to at least $11.00. Employers with $405,000 or less in annual gross receipts are not covered by the state minimum and instead owe the federal floor of $7.25/hour.

• Does Ohio have a tipped minimum wage in 2026?

  Yes. Tipped employees at Ohio-covered employers (annual gross receipts over $405,000) must receive a cash wage of at least $5.50/hour as of January 1, 2026. Tips must bridge the gap to the full $11.00 state minimum. If tips do not reach that level, the employer must make up the shortfall. At small employers (≤$405K), the federal FLSA tip credit applies: $2.13/hour cash wage, with tips required to reach $7.25/hour.

• Which Ohio employees are exempt from overtime?

  Standard white-collar exemptions under the FLSA — executive, administrative, professional, computer, outside sales, and highly compensated employees — also apply under Ohio O.R.C. §4111.03, which incorporates FLSA exemptions by reference. To qualify, employees must meet both a salary-level test (at least $684/week for standard exemptions; $107,432/year for highly compensated under 2026 federal standards) and a duties test. Mere payment of a salary does not automatically create an exemption.

• Where can I file a wage complaint in Ohio?

  You may file a wage claim with the Ohio Department of Commerce's Division of Labor and Worker Safety (Bureau of Wage and Hour Administration) at com.ohio.gov, or with the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division under the FLSA. Private lawsuits in Ohio state or federal court are also available. The statute of limitations for Ohio wage claims is generally two years; for FLSA claims, two years (three for willful violations).