In January 2009, many states increased their minimum wage. But in 2010, only a few states change their minimum wage and most of the states are keeping steady.
The state of Kansas increased its minimum wage from $2.65 per hour to 7.25 per hour on January 1, 2010. This is the first time in recent twenty years that increased the minimum wage. Now, Kansas is not the state with the lowest minimum wage. There are five states have no minimum wage whatsoever, like Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Louisiana and South Carolina.
Different from other states, some state decreased its minimum wage. Colorado decreased its minimum wage by 4 cents from $7.28 per hour to $7.24 per hour. The employees who are covered by the federal minimum wage enjoy $7.25 per hour. Those states increase the minimum wage in terms of the cost of living. The following state don’t increase the minimum wage this year, they are Ohio, Washington, Oregon, Vermont, Nevada, Montana, Missouri and Arizona.
Totally speaking, except Georgia, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Arkansas have a minimum wage lower than the federal minimum wage, 14 states have minimum wages higher than the federal rate of $7.25 per hour, while 26 states have a minimum wage of $7.25.
Showing posts with label federal minimum wage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label federal minimum wage. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
Ohio Remain Minimum Wage Stable in 2010
The state minimum wage is always increased according to the economy inflation. Colorado will reduce the state minimum wage from $7.28 per hour to $7.24 per hour effective on January 1, 2010. However, according to the Fair Labor Standards Act, most Colorado employers will be required to pay &7.25 per hour under the federal minimum wage. While the state of Ohio will remain its state minimum wage stable at $7.30 per hour in 2010.
The minimum wage in the Buckeye State is 5 cents higher than the federal minimum wage at $7.25 per hour. Employers who are covered by both the state and federal minimum wage must pay the higher of the two. So in Ohio the employees will be paid the state minimum wage.
In 2010, Ohio tipped minimum wage will still remain at $3.65 per hour. If a tipped employee does not average at least $3.65 per hour over the payroll week, the employer must pay the difference as wages. The Ohio minimum wage applies to employers with more than $267,000 in gross revenue. The Ohio minimum wage is increased each year based on the rate of inflation. According to a memo released by the Ohio Department of Commerce, the rate of inflation declined 0.2 percent from late 2008 to late 2009.
The minimum wage in the Buckeye State is 5 cents higher than the federal minimum wage at $7.25 per hour. Employers who are covered by both the state and federal minimum wage must pay the higher of the two. So in Ohio the employees will be paid the state minimum wage.
In 2010, Ohio tipped minimum wage will still remain at $3.65 per hour. If a tipped employee does not average at least $3.65 per hour over the payroll week, the employer must pay the difference as wages. The Ohio minimum wage applies to employers with more than $267,000 in gross revenue. The Ohio minimum wage is increased each year based on the rate of inflation. According to a memo released by the Ohio Department of Commerce, the rate of inflation declined 0.2 percent from late 2008 to late 2009.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Colorado Minimum Wage Will Reduce in 2010
The state minimum wage is always increased according to the economy inflation, while this situation will change. There comes out news that, for the first time, a state minimum wage will be reduced. That’s the state of Colorado.
Colorado will reduce the state minimum wage by 4 cents, from $7.28 per hour to $7.24 per hour. This will be effective on January 1, 2010. However, according to the Fair Labor Standards Act, most Colorado employers will be required to pay &7.25 per hour under the federal minimum wage.
According to the Colorado Division of Labor & Employment, the minimum wage for tipped employees will also change. It will decrease from $4.26 per hour to $4.22 per hour. If the employee does not average $3.02 per hour over the payroll week, the employer must pay the difference. Employers need to update their Colorado state minimum wage posters accordingly.
The Colorado minimum wage is adjusted annually for inflation. Although the Colorado minimum wage will reduce by 4 cents, it is far better than the annual increases of 20 cents or more in recent years. In 2007, Colorado increased the minimum wage from $6.85 per hour to $7.02 per hour, while in 2009, Colorado adjusted the minimum wage again from $7.02 per hour to $7.28 per hour.
The state of Colorado adjusts the minimum wage on the basis of CPI (Consumer Price Index) for the Denver-Boulder-Greeley metro area, published by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Colorado will reduce the state minimum wage by 4 cents, from $7.28 per hour to $7.24 per hour. This will be effective on January 1, 2010. However, according to the Fair Labor Standards Act, most Colorado employers will be required to pay &7.25 per hour under the federal minimum wage.
According to the Colorado Division of Labor & Employment, the minimum wage for tipped employees will also change. It will decrease from $4.26 per hour to $4.22 per hour. If the employee does not average $3.02 per hour over the payroll week, the employer must pay the difference. Employers need to update their Colorado state minimum wage posters accordingly.
The Colorado minimum wage is adjusted annually for inflation. Although the Colorado minimum wage will reduce by 4 cents, it is far better than the annual increases of 20 cents or more in recent years. In 2007, Colorado increased the minimum wage from $6.85 per hour to $7.02 per hour, while in 2009, Colorado adjusted the minimum wage again from $7.02 per hour to $7.28 per hour.
The state of Colorado adjusts the minimum wage on the basis of CPI (Consumer Price Index) for the Denver-Boulder-Greeley metro area, published by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Sunday, August 16, 2009
QuikTrip to Pay $750,000 in Back Wage
Convenience store operator QuikTrip Corp. agreed to pay $747,729 in overtime back wages for 3,819 current and former convenience store workers ，following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division’s Arkansas-Oklahoma District Office.
The Department of Labor said on Monday that they found Tulsa-based QuikTrip had violated the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) by failing to pay its employees the overtime compensation they were legally entitled to receive. The chain did not pay additional overtime premiums due on performance-related bonuses. Among the states involved in the investigation were Missouri , Illinois , Arizona , Georgia , Iowa , Nebraska , Oklahoma and Texas .
An employer is not required by law to provide a bonus, but if a nondiscretionary bonus is paid, the bonus must be included as part of the employee's regular rate of pay for purposes of computing overtime. The FLSA requires that covered employees be paid at least the federal minimum wage and receive overtime at one and one-half times their regular rates of pay for hours worked beyond 40 per week. Effective July 24, 2009, the minimum wage is $7.25 per hour. Employers must also maintain accurate time and payroll records.
Mike Thornbrugh, QuikTrip spokesman, said that "We have an additional form of compensation, and that is an additional bonus that we pay based on customer service…What we did, and it's our fault, is we had a computer programming error that was paying some employees too much for that and others were not getting the appropriate amount. We obviously fixed the program and reimbursed employees who were not getting the proper amount."
"I am pleased that this case has resulted in almost $750,000 in back wages being paid to thousands of workers across nine states," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "I am committed to ensuring that every worker is paid the full wages he or she is due, and that those who work overtime receive the compensation to which they are legally entitled."
The Department of Labor said on Monday that they found Tulsa-based QuikTrip had violated the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) by failing to pay its employees the overtime compensation they were legally entitled to receive. The chain did not pay additional overtime premiums due on performance-related bonuses. Among the states involved in the investigation were Missouri , Illinois , Arizona , Georgia , Iowa , Nebraska , Oklahoma and Texas .
An employer is not required by law to provide a bonus, but if a nondiscretionary bonus is paid, the bonus must be included as part of the employee's regular rate of pay for purposes of computing overtime. The FLSA requires that covered employees be paid at least the federal minimum wage and receive overtime at one and one-half times their regular rates of pay for hours worked beyond 40 per week. Effective July 24, 2009, the minimum wage is $7.25 per hour. Employers must also maintain accurate time and payroll records.
Mike Thornbrugh, QuikTrip spokesman, said that "We have an additional form of compensation, and that is an additional bonus that we pay based on customer service…What we did, and it's our fault, is we had a computer programming error that was paying some employees too much for that and others were not getting the appropriate amount. We obviously fixed the program and reimbursed employees who were not getting the proper amount."
"I am pleased that this case has resulted in almost $750,000 in back wages being paid to thousands of workers across nine states," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "I am committed to ensuring that every worker is paid the full wages he or she is due, and that those who work overtime receive the compensation to which they are legally entitled."
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
2009 Federal Minimum Wage Increase
The federal minimum wage increases from $6.55 per hour to $7.25 per hour on July 24, 2009. This is the third time and the final annual increase under the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007.
For ten years, while the federal minimum wage sat at $5.15 an hour, members of Congress voted themselves raises that increased wages by an average of $31,600 each. That changed with the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007. This new Act released that increase the minimum wage by 70 cents per hour every year for three years.
The increase comes on July 24 each year. The final increase comes July 24, 2009, when the minimum wage rises from $6.55 to $7.25.
The federal minimum wage law is the Faire Labor Standards Act (FLSA). It applies only to those employers who have more than 50 workers or who earn revenues of more than a half-million dollars a year. More than half of all states in America have passed laws that establish a higher minimum wage than the federal rate.
For ten years, while the federal minimum wage sat at $5.15 an hour, members of Congress voted themselves raises that increased wages by an average of $31,600 each. That changed with the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007. This new Act released that increase the minimum wage by 70 cents per hour every year for three years.
The increase comes on July 24 each year. The final increase comes July 24, 2009, when the minimum wage rises from $6.55 to $7.25.
The federal minimum wage law is the Faire Labor Standards Act (FLSA). It applies only to those employers who have more than 50 workers or who earn revenues of more than a half-million dollars a year. More than half of all states in America have passed laws that establish a higher minimum wage than the federal rate.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Connecticut Minimum Wage to Increase to $8.00 on January 1, 2009
The state of Connecticut will increase its minimum wage to $8.00 effective January 1, 2009, and to $8.25 effective January 1, 2010.
On June 23, 2008, the Connecticut General Assembly voted to override Governor M. Jodi Rell's veto of legislation that will increase the state's minimum wage from $7.65 to $8.00 effective January 1, 2009, and to $8.25 effective January 1, 2010.
In addition, the General Assembly also voted to override the governor's veto of a companion bill (S.B. 55) which will increase the minimum wage tip credit for bartenders and wait staff. S.B. 55 will allow hotels and restaurants to pay service employees who regularly receive tips less than minimum wage, as long as tips make up the difference.
Governor Rell said: “It is not a minimum wage increase that will support our families—it is a thriving economy, accomplished through a business-friendly environment with successful employers and reasonably priced consumer goods and services.” Connecticut's current minimum wage of $7.65 per hour is higher than the federal minimum of $6.55 per hour. Governor Rell signed the last increase in the minimum wage two years ago.
On June 23, 2008, the Connecticut General Assembly voted to override Governor M. Jodi Rell's veto of legislation that will increase the state's minimum wage from $7.65 to $8.00 effective January 1, 2009, and to $8.25 effective January 1, 2010.
In addition, the General Assembly also voted to override the governor's veto of a companion bill (S.B. 55) which will increase the minimum wage tip credit for bartenders and wait staff. S.B. 55 will allow hotels and restaurants to pay service employees who regularly receive tips less than minimum wage, as long as tips make up the difference.
Governor Rell said: “It is not a minimum wage increase that will support our families—it is a thriving economy, accomplished through a business-friendly environment with successful employers and reasonably priced consumer goods and services.” Connecticut's current minimum wage of $7.65 per hour is higher than the federal minimum of $6.55 per hour. Governor Rell signed the last increase in the minimum wage two years ago.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Federal minimum Wage Increase Good For Workers
The federal minimum wage has increased from $5.85 per hour to $6.55 per hour, effective July 24, 2008.
In 2007, President Bush signed into law legislation to provide for a three-step increase in the federal minimum wage: to $5.85 per hour effective July 24, 2007; to $6.55 per hour effective July 24, 2008; and to $7.25 per hour effective July 24, 2009.
According to Boucher, a lawmaker, the increase in the minimum wage will increase $4,400 a year for workers who earn the minimum wage. “Americans who work hard and play by the rules should be able to earn enough to provide for their families,” Boucher said. “For 10 years, the minimum wage was frozen at $5.15 an hour, a wage far too low to provide for the needs of a family as gas prices, food costs and health insurance costs continue to rise. This represented the longest period in the history of the minimum wage law that minimum wage workers failed to receive an increased wage.”
In 2007, President Bush signed into law legislation to provide for a three-step increase in the federal minimum wage: to $5.85 per hour effective July 24, 2007; to $6.55 per hour effective July 24, 2008; and to $7.25 per hour effective July 24, 2009.
According to Boucher, a lawmaker, the increase in the minimum wage will increase $4,400 a year for workers who earn the minimum wage. “Americans who work hard and play by the rules should be able to earn enough to provide for their families,” Boucher said. “For 10 years, the minimum wage was frozen at $5.15 an hour, a wage far too low to provide for the needs of a family as gas prices, food costs and health insurance costs continue to rise. This represented the longest period in the history of the minimum wage law that minimum wage workers failed to receive an increased wage.”
Thursday, May 29, 2008
$6.55 Per Hour: The Second Step of the Federal Minimum Wage Increase
The federal minimum wage will take the first of its two additional scheduled increases effective July 24, 2008, when the federal minimum wage moves from $5.85 per hour to $6.55 per hour.
On May 25, 2007, President Bush signed a bill that amended the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to provide for a three-step increase in the federal minimum wage: to $5.85 per hour effective July 24, 2007; to $6.55 per hour effective July 24, 2008; and to $7.25 per hour effective July 24, 2009. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) establishes minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and child labor standards affecting full-time and part-time workers in the private sector and in Federal, State, and local governments.
If an employee is covered by both a state minimum and the federal minimum, the worker is entitled to the higher of the two.
As of February 2008, Washington has the highest minimum wage of all 50 states, and California, Massachusetts and Oregon follow. Kansas has the lowest minimum wage. Texas is one of a number of states that pegs its state minimum wage to the federal minimum wage; the current federal minimum wage applies for most jobs in these states.
On May 25, 2007, President Bush signed a bill that amended the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to provide for a three-step increase in the federal minimum wage: to $5.85 per hour effective July 24, 2007; to $6.55 per hour effective July 24, 2008; and to $7.25 per hour effective July 24, 2009. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) establishes minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and child labor standards affecting full-time and part-time workers in the private sector and in Federal, State, and local governments.
If an employee is covered by both a state minimum and the federal minimum, the worker is entitled to the higher of the two.
As of February 2008, Washington has the highest minimum wage of all 50 states, and California, Massachusetts and Oregon follow. Kansas has the lowest minimum wage. Texas is one of a number of states that pegs its state minimum wage to the federal minimum wage; the current federal minimum wage applies for most jobs in these states.
Friday, May 25, 2007
Federal Minimum Wage To Increase
Congress approved an increase in federal minimum wage for nearly a decade on May 24.
It would raise the minimum wage to $7.25 an hour from $5.15 in three stages over two years. The bill includes $4.84 billion in tax breaks for small businesses.
The proposal to raise the federal minimum wage was attached to the $120 billion Iraq war-spending bill, which was vetoed by White House on May 1. The bill was rewritten, and passed both in the House and Senate. In a White House news conference Thursday, President Bush said he would sign the bill.
Workers earned federal minimum wage will get the first raise to $5.85 an hour, 60 days after the measure is signed by Bush. A year later, the minimum wage would rise to $6.55 an hour, and to $7.25 a year after that.
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