January 31, 2020
Too many bosses in the Columbus area and throughout Ohio are finding ways to cheat their hard-working employees. It’s called wage theft. These unethical employers steal money from workers and make it harder for law-abiding employers to compete.
Here are some of their methods: paying less than the minimum wage; not paying overtime; violating prevailing wage laws on public construction projects; confiscating tips from restaurant wait staff; misclassifying regular employees as self-employed independent contractors; forcing employees to work off-the-clock before and after their regular shifts; and denying workers legal meal breaks. The list of unscrupulous practices is almost endless. …
Mayor Andrew J. Ginther and the Columbus City Council have recognized the problem here. They are considering legislation aimed at curbing wage theft by any developer who receives a tax abatement or other tax incentive. If enacted, this legislation would be a good first step in combating abuses. Four years ago, Cincinnati enacted a similar ordinance. Franklin County suburbs should follow suit.
Central Ohio’s overall economy is healthy and growing. However, not everyone is benefiting. Too many folks are being left behind, forced to work two or three jobs to make ends meet. Dishonest wage-theft violators know this. They prey on the most vulnerable of our fellow citizens.
These crooked employers should be held accountable. Our elected officials and business leaders should tell repeat offenders either comply with the law or get out of central Ohio. We don’t need you and your abusive practices.
Mark Fluharty is executive director of the Central Ohio Labor Council of the AFL-CIO.