Free HR Audit for Ohio Employers (2025 Edition)

What is an Ohio HR Audit — and Why You Need One

An HR audit for Ohio small business owners is a comprehensive review of your company’s HR policies, procedures, and practices. In Ohio, compliance is not just about statewide laws; several cities have passed their own employment ordinances, creating a patchwork of workplace requirements. That makes it especially critical for small and midsize businesses to assess their HR practices regularly.

Cities like Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland, and Toledo have implemented progressive workplace protections that go beyond state and federal standards. For example:

Pay Transparency Ordinances: These cities restrict employers from asking about salary history and prohibit policies that prevent employees from discussing wages.
Local Fair Hiring Practices: Cincinnati and Columbus enforce “Ban the Box” rules, limiting when an employer can ask about criminal history during the hiring process.
Protected Classes: Some municipalities extend anti-discrimination protections to additional categories not explicitly covered under state law, such as sexual orientation, gender identity, or status as a domestic violence victim.

With Ohio’s evolving landscape, where workplace rules can differ significantly depending on your location, an HR audit helps businesses stay aligned with applicable laws, reduce risk exposure, and improve employee relations.

What the Free Ohio HR Audit Covers

Our Free HR Audit Tool evaluates key areas tailored to Ohio's specific requirements:

Wage & Hour Rules: Ensures compliance with Ohio's minimum wage of $10.70 per hour for non-tipped employees and $5.35 for tipped employees, applicable to businesses with annual gross receipts of $394,000 or more.
Worker Classification: Assesses proper classification of employees versus independent contractors to avoid misclassification issues.
Leave & Benefits: Reviews company policies on sick leave and other benefits, noting that Ohio does not mandate paid sick leave, but employers must adhere to their own established policies.
Mandatory Trainings: Checks for compliance with any industry-specific training requirements, acknowledging that Ohio does not have statewide mandates for anti-harassment training but recommends such training to prevent workplace issues.
Labor Law Posters & Notices: Verifies that all required state and federal labor law posters are up-to-date and properly displayed, including the recent allowance for electronic postings effective July 2025.
Local Ordinance Compliance: Identifies city-specific regulations, such as pay transparency laws in Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Toledo, which prohibit employers from asking about salary history and restrict policies that prevent employees from discussing wages.

How Our Free HR Audit Tool Works

Our intuitive tool is designed for busy Ohio business owners:

Quick Assessment: Complete the audit in just 5–10 minutes.
Comprehensive Coverage: Evaluates five key compliance categories relevant to Ohio laws.
Immediate Results: Receive a compliance score with clear explanations and actionable recommendations.
Downloadable Report: Obtain a detailed report to share with your team or advisors.

Who Should Use the Ohio HR Audit Tool?

This tool is ideal for:

Small Businesses: Companies with 1–250 employees seeking to ensure HR compliance.
Startups: New businesses hiring their first employees and establishing HR practices.
Business Owners Without HR Departments: Entrepreneurs managing HR responsibilities themselves.

Start Your Free HR Compliance Audit for Ohio

Don't let compliance issues catch you off guard. Our Free HR Audit Tool helps Ohio employers identify potential risks and improve HR practices efficiently.

Disclaimer: This tool is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For guidance specific to your situation, consult a qualified HR or legal professional.