Florida has been a part of the national debate surrounding minimum wage. The debate centers on whether the minimum wage should be raised and if it should be raised, by how much.
In 2015, Florida increased the state minimum wage to $8.05 per hour, which is higher than the federal minimum wage rate of $7.25,
according to the United States Department of Labor. For those interested, here are a few facts you should know about Florida's minimum wage laws that are in place today.
1. Minimum Wage Rate
As of Jan. 1, 2015, the minimum wage in the state of Florida is $8.05. This is a 12-cent increase from the previous minimum wage rate of $7.93,
The Washington Post noted.
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2. Minimum Wage for Tipped Workers
Those who work in service industries, such as restaurants, are exempt from the $8.05 minimum wage rate. The minimum wage for tipped workers, according to the state mandate effective Jan. 1, 2015, is $5.03 per hour. However, there is a "maximum tip credit" in Florida that is, "the amount of tips you will need on top of your cash wage to make the minimum wage of $8.05 per hour,"
Paywizard.org noted. In this case, the maximum tip credit is $3.02 per hour.
By law, according to Paywizard.org, "if you do not receive sufficient tips in your workweek to achieve the minimum wage for all hours worked that week, your employer must make up the difference."
3. Exemptions
Some people are exempt from minimum wage laws due to certain loopholes in the federal law. Those who are exempt include people who are babysitters working on a casual basis, disabled workers, those that deliver newspapers, and switchboard operators, Paywizard.org noted.
4. Overtime Pay
There is also a minimum wage for those working overtime. In Florida's case, the overtime minimum wage is $12.075. According to Paywizard.org, "Overtime pay is the cash compensation for the hours eligible employees work in excess of 40 hours. The overtime pay rate is one and one-half times the regular working hour rate of pay."
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