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The most fundamental problem with minimum wage laws can be illustrated by a quick example of a minimum wage worker employed by a hamburger joint: When that employee is making $5/hr, the cost of a hamburger may be $1. So, when he takes a break, and buys a hamburger for himself, he spends one fifth of his hourly wage to eat. If the minimum wage is raised to say $10/hr, he's now very happy at his doubled income. However, due to increased cost in labor, and cost for production, the hamburger joint has to raise prices accordingly. Labor now costs the company 100% more, so they raise the price of their product by 100%.
Now, when the employee takes a break, and buys a hamburger, he is dismayed to find that same hamburger now costs $2, and is still one fifth of his hourly wage. He thought he was making more money, but the cost of products and services were simply raised to reflect the increased cost to produce.
So, artificial wage controls simply make minimum wage workers think they are making more money, but the cost of all the products and services they need to purchase have increased, and eat up their increased wages. There has been no real improvement. A bit over-simplistic, but this is fundamentally what happens.
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Why is minimum wage for NYC different from the federal minimum wage?
New York and New York City both have their own jurisdiction and ability to pass laws in addition to the federal laws.
Which US states do not have a minimum wage?
Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, South Carolina, and Tennessee do not have minimum wage laws. This does not mean they do not have minimum wages because there is a federal minimum wage that these states must still enforce. States can only choose to have higher minimum wages than the federal law or have no specific law at all and enforce the federal law.
What is the term for people who expose problems?
Whistleblower, and there are federal laws to protect them.
What is the minimum wage in Utah?
The minimum wage in Utah is $7.25 an hour, and $2.13 an hour for tipped employees pursuant to federal laws.
What is minimum wage under the FLSA?
Under the FLSA, the federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour effective July 24, 2009 through the present. Thus, employers subject to the provisions of the FLSA may not pay employees at a rate of less than $7.25 per hour for all hours of compensable time worked. However, many of the states have a higher minimum wage (see below). Minimum Wage State Laws In the U.S., approximately half of the states have minimum wage laws that are identical to the federally-mandated minimum wage. And while many states have laws dictating a higher minimum wage than that required under federal law, some states do not. When state minimum wage conflicts with federal minimum wage, such that a state’s mandated minimum wage is higher, employers must comply with both laws. Otherwise, covered employers must comply with the federal minimum wage laws. For Minimum Wage for Each State Click Here.
Does each state have their own Labor Laws or is it the same for the whole country?
Both, actually. To take a familiar example, there is a federal minimum wage, but the Ohio minimum wage is higher than the federal one.
What is the minimum legal barrel length for a rifle in Idaho?
As long as you follow all Federal laws, any length you want.
Enforces the federal laws that set minimum safety and health standards through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration?
Labor
What are the federal laws regarding minimum wage posters?
Federal law requires that employers have minimum wage posters displayed in common areas that are easily accessible and can be viewed by any employee. If your company is in need of a minimum wage poster, contact the state's department of commerce to purchase one.
Do employee contracts negate federal overtime laws?
Labor laws cannot be negated by contracts. An employee cannot give up the right to overtime pay or minimum wage.
If a state law conflicts with a federal law which law will prevail?
Answer The Supremacy Clause of the US Constitution states: Article. VI. "This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding." In other words, federal law ALWAYS takes precedence over state law in cases where they may be in conflict. While states may have minimum wage laws, their minimum wage laws may NOT have a minimum wage less than the federal minimum wage, only higher. If any company tried to pay wages less than the federal minimum, even if state law had a lower minimum, they could be found in violation of the federal law and held accountable.
Can state laws regulate something if it is also regulated by the federal law?
Yes, they can as long as the federal law is not contradicted or if it is intended to preempt all state legislation in that area. For example, the federal government establishes a minimum wage, but states are free to establish higher ones if they wish. A higher minimum wage does not conflict with the federal law, because the purpose of the federal law is to help workers and a state minimum wage helps workers even more. Thus, it does not conflict with the intent of the federal law.
