Cincinnati Wage And Hour Lawyers Fighting For Full And Fair Pay For Workers

Federal and state laws mandate the minimum wage that Ohio employers must pay employees and require overtime pay (1.5 times the hourly rate of pay) for certain employees who work more than 40 hours in one week. However, many employers attempt to avoid fully compensating their employees by misclassifying them as exempt or otherwise violating wage and hour laws.

If you are paid an hourly wage, your employer must pay you for every hour you work. This includes overtime and working through breaks or meals. If you believe your employer is violating wage and hour laws by depriving you of your proper paycheck, contact The Butler Trial Firm. Our wage lawyers can help you bring a wage and hour claim to collect unpaid wages, including unpaid overtime.

The Experience to Overcome Pay Violations

With more than 50 years of combined experience protecting Cincinnati workers, we understand all applicable laws in wage and hour cases, including Ohio’s Minimum Wage Laws (Ohio Revised Code 4111), Ohio’s Minor Labor Law (Ohio Revised Code 4109) and Ohio’s Prevailing Wage Law (Ohio Revised Code 4115), as well as the federal Fair Labor Standards Act.

Employers who commit FLSA violations or violations of Ohio wage and hour laws often do so in subtle ways that prevent employees from questioning their paychecks. Sometimes, the employer may not even be aware that it is violating an employee’s rights. However, our wage lawyers know.

Examples of Wage and Hour Violations In Ohio

Wage and hour laws regulate payment to ensure fair compensation for services and work provided. If you believe your employer violated wage and hour laws, it may be because of the following:

• You are an hourly employee and were required to work overtime (over 40 hours in one week) but were not paid for your overtime work.
• You are not being paid at least the minimum wage. In Ohio, minimum wage is $10.70 per hour for non-tipped employees.
• Your employer made you work time “off the clock,” either before or after you punched in or out for work. This might include time spent putting on safety gear or setting up before work. It might include time spent cleaning up or putting away equipment after work.
• Your employer requires that you show up early for work and makes you wait to punch in.
• Your employer does not allow you to take rest breaks or meal breaks.

These are a few examples of the many ways employers can violate wage and hour laws. If you are not paid a salary, you are protected under wage and hour laws. If you are a salaried worker, you are exempt from overtime laws. Our team can defend your rights in a wage and hour lawsuit. If your employer violated wage and hour laws, you may be able to recover monetary damages.

Understanding Ohio Wage And Hour Laws And Federal Protections

Ohio workers are protected by a combination of state statutes and federal law designed to guarantee fair pay. Ohio Revised Code Chapter 4111 sets minimum wage and overtime standards, while the federal Fair Labor Standards Act establishes nationwide requirements for recordkeeping and overtime eligibility. Employers who fail to comply with these rules may be responsible for unpaid wages and additional damages. Wage disputes also frequently overlap with other workplace issues, including employment contracts, employment discrimination and employer retaliation, particularly when workers raise concerns about their pay.

Improper Classification as a Salaried Employee

One of the most common reasons why workers are not paid overtime is because they are salaried and classified as exempt. However, the law requires that a position meet certain requirements in terms of the duties performed in order to legally have that exemption, and the duties cannot just be on-paper.

Our wage and hour lawyers can assess your situation and determine whether your employer has misclassified you as salaried, and therefore an exempt employee. If you have been misclassified as an exempt employee and are actually a nonexempt employee, your employer has violated the law. Our employment law firm can help you bring a wage and hour claim to protect your rights.

How Do I Know If I Have Been Misclassified As An Employee?

Misclassification is one of the most common wage and hour problems Cincinnati workers face. Employers often label employees as salaried or exempt to avoid paying overtime, but job titles alone do not control classification. The law looks at what you actually do on a daily basis.

Key factors include whether you have true management authority, whether you exercise independent judgment and how you are paid. If you spend most of your time performing routine or manual work, follow detailed instructions or lack hiring and firing authority, you may be misclassified. Many workers discover misclassification only after reviewing their duties with a wage attorney, especially when the issue arises alongside disputes involving employment contracts or discipline after wage complaints.

Do I Get Paid For Rest And Meal Breaks?

Ohio law does not require employers to provide rest or meal breaks for adult employees, but when breaks are offered, pay rules still apply. Short rest breaks typically must be paid. Meal breaks may be unpaid only if you are fully relieved of all duties.

Problems arise when employees are expected to work through meals, remain on call or respond to requests during breaks. In such situations, the time may be compensable. Disputes often surface after workers report pay issues and then experience employer retaliation, making careful documentation vital.

Why Choose The Butler Trial Firm?

The Butler Trial Firm has more than 50 years of combined experience protecting Cincinnati workers in wage and hour litigation. We prepare every case with trial in mind and focus on uncovering subtle pay practices that deprive employees of earned wages. Our attorneys provide direct communication and aggressive representation, whether a case involves unpaid overtime, misclassification or related claims such as employment discrimination.

Set Up A Free Consultation With An Ohio Wage Violation Attorney

If you believe that your employer is denying you complete compensation, call The Butler Trial Firm at 513-909-3402 to discuss your issue with an experienced team of attorneys who can guide you through the complexities of state and federal wage and hour laws. You may also contact our firm online.