Ohio Final Paycheck Law

Final Paychecks Under Ohio Law

If you are leaving a position due to termination, you may be wondering about Ohio final paycheck laws and when your last paycheck will be disbursed. Unfortunately for Ohio employees, the state of Ohio does not have a statute in place that stipulates a business must immediately pay a person who is fired from a job. Instead, under Ohio Revised Code §4113.15, there is a semi-monthly rule in place.

What the Ohio Final Pay Law States and What Breaking It Means

Ohio Revised Code §4113.15 says employers “shall, on or before the first day of each month, pay all its employees the wages earned by them during the first half of the preceding month ending with the fifteenth day thereof, and shall, on or before the fifteenth day of each month, pay such employees the wages earned by them during the last half of the preceding calendar month.”

If an employer fails to pay wages more than 30 days beyond the normal payday, an employee may have even greater rights under Ohio final pay laws. In those instances, the employer can be liable for liquidated damages. This typically means the employee is not only due the unpaid amount, but they also have the right to 6% of the unpaid amount or 200 dollars, whichever is greater. If you’re facing issues with your final paycheck and the laws in Ohio, a Columbus employment attorney can work with you to pursue the compensation you may be entitled to.

Ohio Last Paycheck Law and Two Weeks’ Notice

Some employers do not handle employee separations professionally and in accordance with the Ohio final paycheck laws. There is no lawful requirement that an employee provides at least two weeks’ notice before they end their employment. Although two weeks’ notice is common and viewed as a polite approach to handling separation, an employer cannot simply decide that it doesn’t wish to pay an employee their final wages. Under Ohio final pay laws, employees are entitled to promptly receive their final paycheck regardless of whether they quit or are terminated by their employer.

Oftentimes, employees are also entitled to their accrued PTO upon their separation from employment. Many employers fail to voluntarily pay employees’ PTO, and this is a common issue that our law firm encounters.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ohio Termination Pay Laws