labor lawAdivision of labor law center

The Connecticut minimum wage went up from $7.65 an hour to $8.00 an hour on January 1, 2009. That represents a hike of 35 cents per hour.

 

In Connecticut, the minimum wage is not linked to increases in the cost of living, as it is in some other states. Instead, it is voted as part of state law.

 

Some of the states where the minimum wage follows the inflation rate are Washington, Oregon, Vermont, and Florida.  By contrast, New Mexico, like Connecticut, increases its minimum wage rate by statute. In New Mexico, the state minimum wage increased from $6.50 to $7.50 an hour on January 1, 2009, a hike of $1 per hour – by far the highest of the new year.

 

As in many other states, administrative, executive, and professional employees are exempt under the Connecticut state overtime and minimum wage laws. The relevant law in this case is Section 31-60-14,15,16 of the Administrative Regulations.

 

There is also an exception under the Connecticut minimum wage for minors working in agriculture or government. They are entitled to a reduced minimum wage that amounts to $6.80 per hour. In other words, they are only entitled to 85% of the state’s minimum wage. Minors working in other industries may also be paid $6.80 an hour, but only for the first 200 hours of their work. The applicable regulations in this case are Section 31-58 and Section 31-58a of the Connecticut State Statutes.

 

Any Connecticut employee’s wages, hours, or benefits may be reduced, or his or her job duties changed, provided the employer gives notice ahead of the pay period during which the changes are made. The notification must be in writing. The wages may not go below the state minimum wage rate, however.

 

Connecticut state law also forbids employers from making deductions from a worker’s wages except in those cases where it is mandated by law.

 

Connecticut will also see its minimum wage go up next year. On January 1, 2010, the minimum Connecticut wage  will increase by 25 cents an hour, from $8.00 per hour to $8.25.

 

Another set of Connecticut statutes, Section 31-76b, Section 31-76c, and Section 31-76i, require that overtime be paid at 1.5 times the employee’s normal pay rate.

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