Articles Discussing General Topics In Ohio Labor & Employment Law.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has signed a bill granting civil immunity from certain COVID-19-related civil actions for healthcare providers, businesses, schools, individuals, and other entities.

Ohio employers will likely soon enjoy greater legal protections when it comes to their efforts to stem the spread of COVID-19. Acknowledging the legal uncertainties faced by essential workers and businesses in the wake of reopening, the Ohio Senate on September 2, 2020, passed House Bill (H.B.) 606, a measure

On May 29, 2020, Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton issued the “Director’s Updated and Revised Order for Business Guidance and Social Distancing.” As expected, the new order extends many of the same requirements and guidelines previously in place through the (now expired) “Stay Safe

On May 14, 2020, Governor Mike DeWine announced an order to continue Ohio’s phased reopening of the state’s economy, adding daycare centers, summer camps, gyms, campgrounds, and pools to the list of businesses that may now reopen. Combined with the state’s prior Stay Safe Ohio and Responsible Restart Ohio orders,

On Thursday, April 30, 2020, Ohio’s Director of the Department of Health, Dr. Amy Acton, signed a “Stay Safe” Order, which lifts certain restrictions from Ohio’s prior “Stay-at-Home” Orders. The Order sets out a plan to start reopening the Ohio economy with some limitations and continued restrictions. The Order went into effect at 11:59 p.m. on April 30, 2020, and remains in full force and effect until 11:59 p.m. on May 29, 2020, unless Ohio’s governor decides to amend or rescind the Order.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine released a new “Stay Safe Ohio” Order that outlines the first phase in the state’s “Responsible Restart Ohio” plan to fully reopen the state.

The Ohio Department of Insurance (ODI) has issued guidance pursuant to Governor Mike DeWine’s emergency declaration and March 9, 2020, order directing state agencies to implement procedures consistent with recommendations from the Department of Health. The ODI guidance applies to insurance companies, multiple employer welfare arrangements, non-federal governmental health plans,

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has announced a new Order that mandates all individuals to stay at home unless they are engaged in “essential work or activity.” The Order goes into effect at 11:59 p.m. on March 23, 2020, and expires at 11:59 p.m. on April 6, 2020.

On Sunday, March 22, 2020, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced that Ohio’s Director of the Department of Health, Dr. Amy Acton, signed an Order requiring all Ohio residents to “stay at home or at their place of residence,” except as allowed by the Order. The Order goes into effect at 11:59 p.m. on March 23, 2020, and remains in effect until 11:59 p.m. on April 6, 2020, unless modified by Dr. Acton.

An Ohio appellate court reversed enforcement of an employment arbitration agreement, holding that the agreement was both substantively and procedurally unconscionable because it required the parties to submit to arbitration all claims arising among them, even those unrelated to the employment relationship.  Please click here for a complete analysis by

The Ohio Eighth District Court of Appeals reversed enforcement of an employment arbitration agreement on January 23, 2020, holding that the agreement was both substantively and procedurally unconscionable because it required the parties to submit to arbitration all claims arising among them, even those unrelated to the employment relationship.

On July 5, 2019, Toledo, Ohio Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz signed the Pay Equity Act to Prohibit the Inquiry and Use of Salary History in Hiring Practices. The ordinance generally prohibits employers (including the employer’s agents, and job placement or referral agencies) located within the City of Toledo that employ 15 or more employees within Toledo, from inquiring1 about, screening or relying upon the salary history of a job applicant in making an employment offer.2

On March 12, 2019, Cincinnati, Ohio passed an ordinance1 prohibiting employers from asking applicants about their salary history or current earnings. It is the latest large jurisdiction to pass such a measure, following several localities in New York that have recently passed similar ordinances.2

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.