Be Part of the Ultimate Safety & Compliance Community
Trending news, knowledge-building content, and more – all personalized to you!
Federal law generally does not regulate employment contracts between employers and employees with one exception: contracts that require the joining or refraining from joining of a labor union as a condition of employment. On the federal level, these contracts are governed by the National Labor Relations Act. States may have a corresponding provision and may also have additional provisions regarding employment contracts.
Ohio law contains provisions similar to federal regarding union membership. It also contains additional provisions concerning employment contracts.
Union membership
Any agreement or contract between an employer and employee requiring the employee to join or remain a member of a labor union or to withdraw from union membership as a condition of employment is void. §4113.02.
Wage payment law
An employer cannot contract with an employee to exempt itself from the provisions of the wage payment law (found at §4113.15) §4113.16
Waiver of rights
An employer can not require an employee to agree to waive the employee’s rights to workers’ compensation benefits with some exceptions: A blind employee may waive compensation for injuries directly caused by the employee’s blindness; an employee may agree to waive benefits for religious reasons; and an employee may waive rights for possible injury occurring during voluntary participation in an employer-sponsored recreational or fitness activity. §4123.80 and §4123.01
An employee may not agree to waive his or her rights to unemployment compensation benefits. §4141.32.
Premium payment
An employee may not be required to sign a contract requiring the employee to pay any portion of the premium paid by the employer into the workers’ compensation insurance fund. §4123.80
Contact
Regulations
Ohio Revised Code Title XLI Chapter 4113
Union membership
Chapter 4113, §4113.02
Wage payment law
Chapter 4113, §4113.16
Waiver of rights
Chapter 4113, §4123.80 and §4123.01
Chapter 4113, §4141.32
Premium payment
Chapter 4113, §4123.80