labor lawAdivision of labor law center

Employers in the Garden State need to be aware that on July 24, 2009 the New Jersey minimum wage will increase by 10 cents, from $7.15 to $7.25 per hour.

 

Many employers question the timing of this change in the midst of the worst recession in 60 years. However, under state statute, the New Jersey minimum wage cannot be lower than the federal minimum wage.

 

The New Jersey minimum wage law covers smaller employers in the state. Under state law, the New Jersey minimum wage matches the federal minimum wage, which increases from $6.55 to $7.25 on July 24, 2009, a raise of 70 cents per hour.

 

On that same date, the New Jersey state minimum wage will increase to $7.25 per hour, too. Employers across the state must update their state and federal minimum wage posters before that date.

 

At present, there is no federal minimum wage increase scheduled for 2010. The Division of Wage and Hour Compliance of the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development enforces the state minimum wage laws.

 

New Jersey employers not covered by the state minimum wage come under the jurisdiction of the federal FLSA or Fair Labor Standards Act.

 

This federal law applies to companies that engage in interstate commerce, and to businesses with annual revenue of $500,000 or more. Individual employees who engage in interstate commerce are also covered by FLSA, even when their employer does not.

 

FLSA also applies to federal, state and local government agencies; health care facilities, hospitals and schools. The Wage and Hour Division of the U. S. Department of Labor at www.dol.gov enforces FLSA.

 

Under New Jersey state minimum wage laws, employers who work more than 40 hours in one week are entitled to overtime pay. FLSA mandates overtime pay, too. Both state and federal laws require employees to be paid overtime at 1.5 times their usual hourly rate.

 

 

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1. Posted by: Ann Le

   Good to know! Thanks for the info.

2. Posted by: Amelia

   Hi Ann! You’re very welcome!~ Amelia