Ohio Employment Law

Ohio Civil Rights Act covers employers with 4+ employees. Can file with OCRC (365-day deadline) or directly in court (2-year SOL). Individual supervisor liability.

At-Will

Yes

Right-to-Work

No

EEOC Deferral

300 days

Min. Wage

$11.00

Ohio State Laws (1)

OH CRA

Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §§ 4112.01-4112.99

365 days
4+ employees

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. Employees may file an administrative charge with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission within 365 days, or they may bypass the administrative process and file directly in state court within 2 years under certain provisions.

Protected Classes

racecolorreligionsexmilitary statusnational origindisabilityage (40+)ancestry

Key Provisions

  • ✓Covers employers with 4 or more employees, lower than the federal 15-employee threshold
  • ✓Provides dual filing paths: administrative charge with OCRC (365 days) or direct court filing (2 years)
  • ✓Includes military status as a protected class; does not include sexual orientation or gender identity at the state level

Remedies

Back payFront payCompensatory damagesPunitive damagesAttorney fees and costsInjunctive reliefReinstatement
File with: Ohio Civil Rights Commission (OCRC) or direct filing in state court365 days (OCRC) or 2 years (direct court filing)

Federal Laws That Apply in Ohio

These federal statutes protect workers nationwide, including in Ohio. As a deferral state, the EEOC filing deadline is extended to 300 days for most claims.

Title VII15+ employees
300 days
ADA15+ employees
300 days
ADEA20+ employees
300 days
EPA1+ employees
730 days
PDA15+ employees
300 days
PWFA15+ employees
300 days
FMLA50+ employees
730 days
FLSA1+ employees
730 days
Section 19811+ employees
1460 days
GINA15+ employees
300 days
USERRA1+ employees
— days
NLRA1+ employees
180 days
OSH Act1+ employees
30 days
WARN Act100+ employees
— days
Rehabilitation Act1+ employees
300 days
SOX Section 8061+ employees
180 days
INA Section 1324b4+ employees
180 days

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 Rights

This 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: February 2025.