{"id":375721,"date":"2016-03-31T21:36:20","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:36:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/state\/ohio-law\/ohio-whistleblower-laws.html"},"modified":"2026-08-24T09:43:59","modified_gmt":"2026-08-24T14:43:59","slug":"ohio-whistleblower-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/ohio-law\/ohio-whistleblower-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Ohio Whistleblower Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Ohio Whistleblower Laws<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

The Ohio Whistleblower Protection Act gives Ohio employees a way to report wrongdoing at work without fear of retaliation. Whistleblower laws allow both public and private employees to report violations and protest retaliatory behavior by their employers. The law does not give full protection and there are strict rules about how violations must be reported. Ohio workers who want to report workplace wrongdoing should discuss their situation with an attorney before making any reports.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The Ohio<\/span> Whistleblower Protection<\/span> Act<\/span> is a two-part law that includes both public workers and private employees. Some public workers are mandated reporters and must report any known or reasonably suspected illegal conduct<\/span> in specific public offices. Private employees are not required to report illegal activity<\/span>, but are encouraged to do so.<\/p>\n

Whistleblowing Defined<\/h2>\n

\u201cWhistleblowers\u201d are any employees who notify the proper authorities about violations of the law or public policy<\/span> within a company. Whistleblowing may also occur when government or corporate insiders leak documents to the media. It\u2019s recognized as an important way to reveal corporate and government malfeasance, since companies and government agencies prefer to keep their illegal conduct<\/span> concealed.<\/p>\n

Whistleblower statutes<\/a> exist at the state and federal level. Several different types cover employee reporting. OSHA<\/span> takes reports of unsafe working conditions<\/span>, while the EEOC handles employment law violations. All agencies offer similar protections against employer retaliation<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Ohio<\/span> Whistleblower Statutes<\/span><\/h2>\n

The Ohio<\/span> whistleblower statute<\/span><\/a> requires state employees and appointees to report theft, fraud, or misappropriation of public funds to the Ohio<\/span> inspector general<\/span>. For private employees, the protection applies when an employee has a reasonable belief<\/span> that an act:<\/p>\n