Minimum Wage Laws

Study Notes

Federal Minimum Wage: The federal minimum wage is set by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is currently $7.25 per hour (as of 2022).
State Minimum Wage: Many states have set their own minimum wage rates, which may be higher than the federal minimum wage.
Exemptions: Certain employees are exempt from minimum wage requirements, such as:
- Executive, administrative, professional, and outside sales employees
- Certain seasonal and recreational establishment employees
- Certain agricultural employees

Overtime Pay: Non-exempt employees are entitled to overtime pay at a rate of at least 1.5 times their regular rate of pay for hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek.
Hours Worked: Overtime hours include all time spent performing job-related duties, including:
- Travel time
- On-call time
- Training time
Exemptions: Certain employees are exempt from overtime pay requirements, such as:
- Executive, administrative, professional, and outside sales employees
- Certain computer professionals
- Certain high-level employees

Eligibility: Unemployment benefits are available to employees who:
- Are unemployed through no fault of their own
- Are actively seeking new employment
- Are ready and able to start work immediately
Benefit Amount: The amount of unemployment benefits varies by state, but is typically a percentage of the employee's previous wages.
Duration: Unemployment benefits are typically available for a maximum of 26 weeks, but may be extended during times of high unemployment.

Title VII: The Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VII, prohibits employment discrimination based on:
- Race
- Color
- Religion
- Sex
- National origin
Additional Protections: Other federal laws prohibit employment discrimination based on:
- Age (Age Discrimination in Employment Act)
- Disability (Americans with Disabilities Act)
- Pregnancy (Pregnancy Discrimination Act)
State Laws: Many states have their own laws that provide additional protections against discrimination.

Coverage: Workers' compensation provides medical and wage benefits to employees who are injured on the job or contract an occupational illness.
Eligibility: All employees are eligible for workers' compensation, except for:
- Agricultural workers in some states
- Domestic workers in some states
- Independent contractors
Benefits: Workers' compensation benefits typically include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Rehabilitation expenses
- Death benefits for dependents

Federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour as of 2022.
Many states have set their own minimum wage rates, which may be higher than the federal minimum wage.
Certain employees are exempt from minimum wage requirements, including:
- Executive, administrative, professional, and outside sales employees
- Certain seasonal and recreational establishment employees
- Certain agricultural employees

Non-exempt employees are entitled to overtime pay at a rate of at least 1.5 times their regular rate of pay for hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek.
Overtime hours include all time spent performing job-related duties, including:
- Travel time
- On-call time
- Training time
Certain employees are exempt from overtime pay requirements, including:
- Executive, administrative, professional, and outside sales employees
- Certain computer professionals
- Certain high-level employees

Unemployment benefits are available to employees who are unemployed through no fault of their own, actively seeking new employment, and ready and able to start work immediately.
The amount of unemployment benefits varies by state, but is typically a percentage of the employee's previous wages.
Unemployment benefits are typically available for a maximum of 26 weeks, but may be extended during times of high unemployment.

Title VII prohibits employment discrimination based on:
- Race
- Color
- Religion
- Sex
- National origin
Other federal laws prohibit employment discrimination based on:
- Age
- Disability
- Pregnancy
Many states have their own laws that provide additional protections against discrimination.

Workers' compensation provides medical and wage benefits to employees who are injured on the job or contract an occupational illness.
All employees are eligible for workers' compensation, except for:
- Agricultural workers in some states
- Domestic workers in some states
- Independent contractors
Workers' compensation benefits typically include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Rehabilitation expenses
- Death benefits for dependents