labor lawAdivision of labor law center

A number of states have implemented laws that require employers to recognize domestic partnerships for benefit purposes, including partnerships between gay or lesbian couples.

From a practical standpoint, these laws mean that in selected states, employers who offer benefits to spouses of employees must offer similar benefits to registered domestic partners in many cases, including same-sex couples. In many cases, it also entitles the couples to family leave under a state law.

Most employers will find that the biggest difference is in (more…)

The good news for employers is that most state minimum wages are holding steady in 2010. In January 2009, more than a dozen states increased their minimum wages. In 2010, only a few minimum wage changes are in effect.

The Kansas minimum wage increased from $2.65 to $7.25 on January 1, 2010. This is the first time in more than two decades that the Kansas minimum wage has increased. The change comes after more than a decade of efforts by Kansas Democrats. On December 31, 2009, Kansas had the lowest minimum wage of any state. Effective today, X states have lower minimum wages.

To be fair to Kansas, five states have no minimum wage whatsoever. They are Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Tennessee and South Carolina.

In an unprecedented step, the Colorado minimum wage actually decreased by 4 cents from $7.28 per hour to $7.24 per hour today. Most employees in the state are still covered by the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.

About a dozen states annually increase the minimum wage based on the cost of living. However, in most areas the cost of living has shown a decrease of 1% to 2%. While many state statutes prevent the minimum wage from being reduced, they have not been increased.

States that have skipped the annual increase in minimum wage this year include Ohio, Washington, Oregon, Vermont, Nevada, Montana, Missouri and Arizona.

In Florida, by statute the state minimum wage cannot be (more…)

Illinois, Nevada and Kentucky implemented minimum wage increases effective today, July 1, 2009.

The Kentucky minimum wage increases today from $6.55 to $7.25 per hour. This change is just 23 days earlier than an identical change in the federal minimum wage.

The Illinois minimum wage increases from $7.75 to $8.00 today. This increase puts the Illinois minimum wage in a four-way tie for the fourth highest minimum wage in the nation.

The Nevada minimum wage increases today from $6.85 per hour to $7.55 per hour, although a number of Nevada employers are exempted.

The highest minimum wage is currently in the state of Washington, with a minimum wage of $8.55 per hour. The Oregon minimum wage is $8.40 per hour, while the minimum wage in Vermont is $8.06 per hour. The minimum wage in California, Connecticut and Massachusetts is at $8.00 per hour – the same as the Illinois minimum wage, effective today.

The minimum wages in Washington, Oregon and Vermont are adjusted for inflation annually on January 1. The minimum wage in California, Connecticut and Massachusetts are not adjusted annually for inflation – they are changed only by statute.

The next Illinois minimum wage change (more…)

The July 24, 2008 federal minimum wage increase affects employers in a number of states. Under the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007, the federal minimum wage increased by 70 cents from $5.85 to $6.55 per hour.

This increase affects most employers in states where the state minimum wage is lower than the new federal rate. Under federal law, when an employee is covered by both state and federal law, the employee is entitled to coverage under whichever law provides the greater benefit.

This means that if (more…)

Five states increased their minimum wages effective July 1, 2008. They include: Illinois, Michigan, West Virginia, Kentucky and Nevada.

In Illinois, the state minimum wage increased 25 cents from $7.50 to $7.75 per hour. This is the second step in a 3-tiered increase. The state minimum wage will increase again in 2009. The law applies to any employer with 4 or more workers who are not family members.  More details here.

Michigan’s minimum wage also increased 25 cents per hour from $7.15 to $7.40.  The state minimum wage has risen nearly $2.00 since 2005, despite sluggish job growth, problems for the automotive industry and the loss of a number of major employers. The law applies to employers with 2 or more workers. More details here.

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