In Ohio, labor laws require employers to provide employees with meal periods and rest breaks during their work shifts. The specific requirements for breaks and meal periods depend on the length of the employee's work shift.
For employees who work 5 or more consecutive hours, employers must provide a 30-minute unpaid meal period. If the employee's work shift is less than 6 hours, the meal period may be waived if both the employer and employee mutually agree in writing. However, if the employee's work shift is 6 or more hours, the meal period cannot be waived.
Employers are not required to provide rest breaks. However, if an employer does provide rest breaks, they must be paid and must be at least 10 minutes long for every 4-hour work period. Rest breaks of less than 20 minutes in duration must be counted as work time, and the employee must be compensated accordingly.
There are some exceptions to these rules. For example, emergency response personnel, employees in the healthcare industry, and employees who work in certain agricultural occupations may be exempt from the meal period requirements.
If an employer violates these labor laws, an employee may file a complaint with the Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of Industrial Compliance. Employees who believe that their employers have violated their rights can consult an employment law attorney for additional guidance and potential legal action.
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