Federal Minimum Wage Archives - Bober & Bober

Survey Says Floridians Want a Higher Minimum Wage

Samara Bober — Mon, 09 Jul 2018 15:40:50 +0000

A recent survey of Floridians by Credit Loan indicates that Floridians believe the ideal minimum wage would be $11.99. That’s $3.74 higher than the current Florida 2018 minimum wage of $8.25. More than 2,600 Americans were surveyed and the finding were weighted against 2016 U.S. Census data. Florida’s minimum wage increased $0.15 in 2018 compared to the $8.10 minimum wage for 2017. Florida’s minimum wage is recalculated yearly based on the Consumer Price Index. The federal minimum wage currently is $7.25, and has not increased since 2009.

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Manicure Industry Wage Theft

Samara Bober — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 15:08:02 +0000

Many nail salons commit wage theft violations by not paying manicurist at least the minimum wage for hours worked, and by making illegal deductions from customer tips or wages. (“The Price of Nails” New York Times, 5/7/15). Manicure industry wage theft is common. For example, nail salons often do not pay newly hired manicurists the required minimum wages for work. While nail salon workers are usually considered “tipped employees” and paid a reduced minimum wage, salon owners often fail to make up the difference between the reduced and full minimum wage when tips are insufficient to allow the technicians to earn at least the full minimum wage and overtime for all hours worked. Many nail salons also do not pay the required minimum wage for weeks or months of training. Some nail salons also illegally require new manicurists to pay a training fee, such $100 to $200, to begin work at the nail salon or to learn a new skill. Nail salons also dock the tips of nail technicians for minor incidents such as spilling a bottle of nail polish. In one nail salon lawsuit, the workers alleged they were paid $1.50 per hour for working a sixty-six (66) hour workweek, paid nothing on slow days, and charged for drinking water. Many nail salon workers are part of a vulnerable population because they are in the country illegally, are undocumented workers, and speak limited English. The wage laws, however, protect even undocumented workers from wage theft.

If your employer or former employer violated your wage rights, call a wage attorney at Bober & Bober, P.A. at 1-800-995-9243 for a free consultation.

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Florida’s Minimum Wage Increases to $7.79 in January 2013

Samara Bober — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 14:26:41 +0000

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity has announced that the minimum wage in Florida will increase to $7.79 per hour as of January 1, 2013. Florida’s minimum wage is currently higher than the federal minimum wage. The federal minimum wage requires covered employers to pay their employees only $7.25 per hour, which is $0.54 less than the Florida minimum wage as of 2013. Under Florida’s higher minimum wage in 2013, employees who earn tips will be entitled to a direct wage $4.77 per hour for the first forty hours of a workweek, where their employer meets the eligibility requirements for taking a tip credit against payment of the full Florida minimum wage. For overtime hours, Florida employers will have to pay $11.69 per hour, and $8.67 for overtime hours worked by tipped employees. If your employer fails to pay you the required minimum wage and overtime, you may be entitled to your unpaid wages, plus up to double the amount owed, plus your attorney’s fees and costs. If you have questions about the pay practices where you work, call Bober & Bober, P.A. at 1-800-995-9243 for a free consultation.

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New Federal Minimum Wage Increase

Samara Bober — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 12:18:06 +0000

On July 24, 2009, the federal minimum wage increased to $7.25. This increase has taken place incrementally over a two year period. State and local governments can require higher wages be paid to employees within their boundaries. Since Florida’s minimum wage was less than $7.25 per hour, the new hirer federal minimum wage will have the effect of increasing the Florida minimum to $7.25 per hour until the next annual increase in the Florida minimum wage when it adjusted for inflation. For tipped employees, this new rate means covered employers must pay tipped employees $4.23 per hour for the first forty hours that a tip credit is taken, and $7.86 for overtime hours where a tip credit is taken. If you believe you employer is not paying you the minimum wage, call Bober & Bober, P.A. for a free consultation.

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