In Ohio, there are no specific state laws that require employers to provide breaks or meal periods to their employees during the workday.
However, federal law mandates that employers are required to provide their employees who are covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) with a 30-minute unpaid meal break if their workday exceeds 5 hours. Employees must be completely relieved from their duties during this time period. Additionally, employers are not required to provide any other breaks, such as rest breaks, unless there is a collective bargaining agreement or other employment contract that mandates it.
Ohio employers are also required to follow federal overtime laws, which means that nonexempt employees who work more than 40 hours a week must be paid overtime at a rate of one and a half times their regular hourly wage.
Employers cannot require employees to work through meal or rest periods without paying them for that time.
It’s important to note that employers cannot retaliate against employees who exercise their rights under these laws. Employers cannot threaten, terminate, or demote employees for taking breaks or filing complaints about wage and hour violations.
If an employer is violating Ohio labor laws regarding breaks and meals, employees may file a complaint with the Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of Labor and Worker Safety. Additionally, employees may wish to consult with an employment law attorney to explore their legal options.
Overall, while Ohio law may not require employers to provide breaks and meals, employers must follow federal law regarding these areas. If employees believe their employer is not following these laws, they should contact an attorney or file a complaint with the appropriate government agency.
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