Minimum Wage Increases Could Minimize Financial Worries

Is increasing the national minimum wage a good thing for the economy? How will it affect business? How will it affect you and your personal finances?

High and increasing inflation rates have triggered these questions about the national and state minimum wages over the last few years. In order to catch up with the rising costs of living and housing, a national plan was made effective on January 1st of 2017 to increase the minimum wage yearly until January 1st 2022, when it will be $15 an hour. For small businesses with less than 26 employees, the plan is stretched an extra year until 2023.

What will this mean for business and you? Let’s take a look at some of these concerns:

Impact on Business

Businesses like Amazon and McDonalds have recently raised their minimum hourly wage and improved their benefits packages, which has decreased their employee turnover rate, boosted morale, and increased customer satisfaction scores.

However, powerful businesses groups like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Restaurant Association have voiced concern that the higher minimum wage will hurt small businesses the most, forcing them to make cuts to their workforce, workers’ hours, and lose out on much-needed profits to catch up to competitors.

According to the Small Businesses Administration, small businesses provide 55% of all jobs in the United States. It’s clear that they are a major part of the U.S. economy, even more so than the large corporations we typically think of as being job providers. However, about a third of small business owners voice support for the raise in the minimum wage because it will increase consumer spending, reduce job turnover, and improve productivity and customer service.

Effect on the Economy

As we mentioned above, increased wages will mean increased consumer spending. But it’s not surprising that an increase in the minimum wage will likely lead to a decrease in employment. Businesses may not be able to hire as many people, but they will also be working with a lower turnover rate and providing more stability and financial security to their employees.

One major concern is that the increase in minimum wage will drive small businesses out of business altogether. Whereas larger companies like Amazon may be able to afford $15 an hour for their employees, a small competing company might not have this luxury. Larger companies have neglected to pay these wages for years despite their profits and faced plenty of backlash for it. Smaller businesses often see the more immediate value in keeping employees on their team for the long haul, despite the financial strain it may place on them. It remains to be seen what the full effects of this change will be on the economy.

How Will These Changes Affect You?

Perhaps most importantly, the increase in the minimum wage is quite likely to affect you and your family. If you make less than the minimum, you can look forward to steady pay raises over the next few years. If you already make above the minimum, you can take comfort in knowing that others will have a living wage. Beyond the obvious economic benefit for these individuals, you can look forward to seeing a decrease in accidents in the workplace, employee turnover rates, and hopefully, improved mental health conditions.

Overall, higher wages mean less stress. And a few extra dollars can be critical to those who are dealing with credit card debt and overdraft fees.

Minimum Wage FAQs

Are there any exceptions to minimum wage law?

• Employees who receive tips. Jobs where employees receive regular tips of at least $30/month fall into a special tipped minimum wage category. In some states, this can lead to a minimum wage for tipped workers of no more than $2.13/hour, but if the cash tips don’t make up the difference between this rate and the federal minimum wage, then the employer has to pay the difference.
• Minors. Employees under the age of 20 fall into a category managed by the Youth Minimum Wage Program (YMWP) which requires qualified workers to be paid at least $4.25/hour for the first 90 days of employment. This reduced minimum wage reverts to federal minimum wage after 90 days of employment or if the employee turns 20 during the first 90 days.
• Full-time students. In specific industries such as retail, full time student employees can be hired for as little as 85% of minimum wage & vocational students can be hired for as little as 75% of minimum wage. These types of exceptions are aimed at allowing companies to hire inexperienced student workers at reduced labor rates.

Can an employee agree to work for less than the minimum wage?

In short, no. Minimum wage laws obligate employers to pay at least the minimum pay required by state & federal law and no agreement made by the employee can waive this right.

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