Ohio's minimum wage becomes $8.10 per hour, effective January 1, 2015.

Ohio has joined the growing list of states legalizing the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. The law takes effect on September 6, 2016, although the state must now go through the process of creating and implementing a regulatory program before its constituents can begin dispensing medical marijuana. That process is expected to take up to two years.

A new tax has been imposed on employees living or working in the Village of Lyons.

Effective January 1, 2017, several Ohio villages have enacted municipal income taxes on both residents and non-residents working in the villages.  Please note that the Marengo, Ohio new income tax was effective on December 1, 2016.

Effective January 1, 2017, the Village of Ostrander, Ohio, has enacted a 1.00% municipal income tax on both residents and non-residents working in the village TS Code# 0754/0756.  

Employees with valid concealed weapons permits now have the right to bring their licensed firearms into company parking lots.  You can no longer ban these employees from transporting or storing their firearms or ammunition inside their privately-owned vehicles as long as (1) the firearm is locked in the trunk, glove box, or an enclosed compartment within the vehicle, (2) the firearm and ammunition remain in the vehicle when the employees are in their vehicles, and (3) the vehicles are parked in a permitted location. You can still prohibit employees from carrying weapons in company-owned buildings and vehicles.

Various jurisdictions have increased their minimum wage rates. If applicable, you must increase the pay rate for exempt and/or non-exempt employees to meet the new minimum wage. For New York, the pay rate increase is effective on or before December 31, 2018. For all other jurisdictions and federal contractors, the increase is effective on or before January 1, 2019. An updated poster is not required provided that the employer has the most recent poster already on display. If needed, employers should order a new minimum wage poster. The minimum wage rate is based on the employee’s work location.

The City of Cincinnati has become the latest jurisdiction to adopt an ordinance prohibiting employers from asking about or relying on the prior salary history of prospective employees in setting starting pay.

The city of Toledo, Ohio has enacted an ordinance to generally prohibit employers from inquiring about an applicant's pay history. The ordinance takes effect on June 25, 2020.

Ohio's minimum wage will increase to $8.70 per hour on January 1, 2020. With a few exceptions, all non-exempt employees in Ohio must be paid at least the minimum wage per hour.