What to Do if an Employer Refuses to Pay You in Ohio?

If you are facing a challenging situation where an employer in Ohio is refusing to pay you for work you already performed, it is important to know your rights. State and federal employment laws protect you from this type of employer wrongdoing. If you are not being paid fairly or on time for your work, take the following steps to seek justice.

Learn the Law

As an employee in Ohio, knowledge is power. The more information you have about your wage and hour rights, the more you will be able to protect them when faced with issues such as nonpayment or contract violations.

Ohio Revised Code § 4113.15 states:

• “Every employer doing business in this state 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.”

The only time an employer can lawfully pay you in terms that are outside of this law is by written contract. It is also important to know how much you should be getting paid based on Ohio’s minimum wage and overtime laws, so you know when you are being underpaid.

Document the Payment Issue

Once you have confirmed that your employer has committed a nonpayment violation, start building your wage claim by documenting everything. Obtain copies of documents such as:

• Your employment contract
• Paystubs and wage statements
• Bank records showing nonpayment
• Work schedules or timecards
• Communications from your employer
• Evidence of work performed

You will need these records to prove unlawful nonpayment. The more evidence you have, the harder it will be for your employer to dispute the wage claim.

Attempt Negotiations

You may be able to communicate the issue to your employer and achieve a fair resolution with full back pay for wages owed. Your employer or an accountant simply may have made a mistake that can be remedied without needing to take further legal action. Bring your complaints and proof to your employer with a written request for payment. 

File a Complaint

If your employer ignores the complaint or still refuses to pay you, take it to the next level by filing an official complaint with enforcing agencies such as the Ohio Department of Commerce or the U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division. These agencies can investigate your situation and may take action against your employer, such as imposing penalties or requiring payment.

Consult With an Attorney in Ohio

If an official complaint does not result in the payment you deserve, consult with a wage and hour lawyer in Ohio about your situation. An attorney can help you take legal action to resolve the dispute, such as filing a lawsuit against your employer in pursuit of fair financial compensation. Your attorney can seek backpay for wages owed in addition to interest, legal fees, punitive damages, and more. 

If your employer is refusing to pay you in Ohio, contact Scott & Winters Law Firm, LLC to discuss your specific situation with an attorney. We offer free initial case reviews.