How Will The Federal Minimum Wage Hike Affect You?

During this week’s the State of the Union address President Obama revealed his plan to hike the minimum wage to $10.10/from $7.25 for federal employees through the use of an Executive Order.

Obama stated, “Today, the federal minimum wage is worth about twenty percent less than it was when Ronald Reagan first stood here. Tom Harkin and George Miller have a bill to fix that by lifting the minimum wage to $10.10. This will help families. It will give businesses customers with more money to spend. It doesn’t involve any new bureaucratic program. So join the rest of the country. Say yes. Give America a raise.”

If you are a minimum wage worker, it is critical to understand how minimum wage laws affect you and ensure that you are receiving all the compensation you are entitled to. If you have questions about minimum wage laws, or are concerned you’re not receiving all the wages you should, it is important to consult with a top Georgia wage and hour lawyer right away.

While this increase only applies to federal workers, it is hoped that this move will fuel congress to pass a law raising the federal minimum wage from its current $7.25/hour and help low wage workers bring home more in their weekly paychecks.

Many states also have minimum wage laws. Some state laws provide greater employee protections; employers must comply with both.

As stated by one observer “the president’s action adds momentum to the fight for a federal minimum wage increase that would benefit all Americans.”

Over the past year, many lower wage workers have organized place pressure on Congress to take action on moving the federal minimum wage in line with what economists say it should be. Economists believe that raising the minimum wage to $10.10 would restore the buying power minimum wage workers have lost to inflation since the 1960s, lift 6 million workers out of poverty, reduce the cost of public assistance programs significantly, and boost the country’s economic output by $22 billion per year.

Unfortunately, even at the current minimum wage rate, employers may try to skirt minimum wage laws and violate the FLSA by not compensating workers for all hours worked.

If you have questions about minimum wage or believe that you may not have received all the compensation you are entitled to please contact the leading Atlanta minimum wage attorney at Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP right away for an immediate case evaluation.