Ohio Ethics Law
Topics
Topics
Public Jobs and Family
Ohio’s Public Contract law prohibits public officials or employees from using their position to secure a public job for a family member.
A “public contract” includes any public employment, so hiring a family member is treated the same as awarding a contract.
Public officials or employees may not use their authority or influence to:
- Hire a family member
- Help a family member get a public job
- Supervise a family member
- Participate in decisions affecting a family member’s job, such as pay, promotions, or discipline
"Family members" include:
- Parents and step-parents
- Grandparents
- Spouse or domestic partner
- Children and step-children, whether dependent or not
- Grandchildren
- Siblings
These people are family regardless of where they reside. Other relatives (by blood or by marriage) such as aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws are considered "family" for this part of the law only when they live in the same household.