Minimum Wage Laws

Minimum Wage

• 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 Regulations

• 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

Unemployment Benefits

• 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.

Discrimination Protections

• 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.

Workers' Compensation

• 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

Minimum Wage

• 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

Overtime Regulations

• 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

• 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.

Discrimination Protections

• 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

• 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