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Proposed bill: Hotline would allow for anonymous reports of wage discrimination
KEITH ARNOLD
Special to the Legal News
Published: July 22, 2016
A pair of Cleveland-area state legislators introduced legislation recently that seeks to set up a toll-free hotline for the purposes of Ohio workers to report anonymously allegations of wage discrimination.
Democrats Kent Smith of Euclid and Janine Boyd of Cleveland Heights jointly sponsored House Bill 586, which proposes the Pay Equity Hotline to be accessed either by telephone or website.
“Under ORC 4112.02, it is an unlawful discriminatory practice for any employer because of the race, color, religion, sex, military status, national origin, disability, age, or ancestry of any person, to discharge without just cause, to refuse to hire, or otherwise to discriminate against that person with respect to hire, tenure, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, or any matter directly or indirectly related to employment,” the legislators wrote in the cosponsor request sent to fellow House members.
The bill would enact section 4112.041 of the Revised Code to require the Ohio Civil Rights Commission to establish a system for individuals to make anonymous complaints regarding employers discriminating in the payment of wages.
The text of the bill follows:
“Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio:
“Section 1. That section 4112.041 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:
“Sec. 4112.041. The Ohio civil rights commission shall establish and maintain a system for an individual to report discrimination in the payment of wages by an employer in violation of division (A) of section 4112.02 of the Revised Code. The system shall allow an individual to make an anonymous complaint through a toll-free telephone number or the website maintained by the commission. The commission shall review all complaints received through this system in a timely manner.”
Smith and Boyd said there currently are three means by which allegations can be made with the state.
“An individual or group can file a complaint with the Civil Rights Commission,” they explained. “An individual or group can file a lawsuit with the Civil Rights Commission and an individual or group can file a lawsuit with the Department of Commerce.”
They noted that the first and second methods can be bundled in the event multiple violations are reported.
“The hotline will be operated by the Ohio Civil Rights Commission which will review complaints,” the pair said. “Calls and online complaints can be made anonymously.
“Anonymity is not required, but is an option for those who may fear retribution from their employer for filing a complaint.”
Eight fellow House members have signed on as cosponsors of the bill.
HB 586 was not assigned to a House committee as of publication.