My question involves employment and labor law for the state of: Ohio
Our workplace, for some time, has required employees to gather together in the lobby before walking out to our cars, when working in the evenings (until about 8:45 pm). This was first instituted because of some safety issues in some homes nearby, although that problem has been dealt with; this workplace is in relatively quiet, very small rural city.
The employer recently installed a time clock (well, they insist we call it "time and attendance software" so it doesn't sound so bad per se, but it's "punch in, punch out" on the computer). We must "punch out" on the computer upstairs, but then still must gather together in the lobby to wait after punching out. There is no computer to punch near the exit. There is a continual problem with one employee, a supervisor, who takes a long time after punching out to use the restroom, shuffle through papers, gather belongings, etc. This usually takes at least 5 minutes but frequently longer. Meanwhile, the employees who have also already punched out are standing in the lobby, still waiting because not supposed to leave alone.
This was not a problem before the time clock - one could maybe come in a few minutes late, take a few extra minutes at lunch, etc. - it generally came out even in the end as these extra minutes continued to add up. However, those adjustments are no longer possible with the time clock. So employees are just waiting off the clock, and the time continues to add up.
I understand how employers might be permitted legally to require employees to walk out together, but are they permitted to force employees to wait for each other and not leave when they are off the clock once they've punched out for the day?

