How to report wage theft in Ohio
The exact agency, deadline, and paperwork to recover unpaid wages in Ohio, verified by hand.
Ohio Department of Commerce, Bureau of Wage and Hour Administration
Deadline
Ohio minimum-wage claims carry a 3-year filing window under the Ohio Constitution (Art. II Sec. 34a). Federal FLSA claims for overtime run 2 years, or 3 if the violation was willful.
You print the Bureau's Minimum Wage Complaint form, fill it out in black or blue ink, and attach copies, never originals, of pay stubs or timesheets that back up your claim. Your signature has to be notarized before you mail, email, or fax it to the Bureau in Reynoldsburg. The Bureau investigates at no cost and can pursue minimum wage, overtime, unauthorized deductions, or a withheld final paycheck, but it cannot go after vacation pay, sick leave, or other promised benefits, and you can't run this process alongside a private lawsuit at the same time.
Gather this first
- Copies, not originals, of pay stubs and time sheets
- The exact number of hours you believe went unpaid
- Your employer's name, address, and phone number
- Access to a notary public before you submit the signed form
File a minimum wage or unpaid wages complaint or call 614-644-2239
Facts last verified against official sources: 2026-07-04
After you report
- Your report is logged and an investigator reviews it. They may contact you for more detail or reach out to your employer directly.
- There is no charge to file, and the agency can order the back wages you are owed paid without you going to court.
- You do not need a lawyer to start, and it is illegal for your employer to fire or punish you for filing in good faith.
Related guides
Back to federal options and other states
Not legal advice
GetSnitching explains programs and processes in plain English from official sources. Whistleblower and reporting decisions can carry real legal risk. For advice about your situation, talk to a licensed attorney. Many whistleblower attorneys offer free consultations.