Florida’s Minimum Wage Increases to $7.79 in January 2013

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity has announced that the minimum wage in Florida will increase to $7.79 per hour as of January 1, 2013. Florida’s minimum wage is currently higher than the federal minimum wage. The federal minimum wage requires covered employers to pay their employees only $7.25 per hour, which is $0.54 less than the Florida minimum wage as of 2013. Under Florida’s higher minimum wage in 2013, employees who earn tips will be entitled to a direct wage $4.77 per hour for the first forty hours of a workweek, where their employer meets the eligibility requirements for taking a tip credit against payment of the full Florida minimum wage. For overtime hours, Florida employers will have to pay $11.69 per hour, and $8.67 for overtime hours worked by tipped employees. If your employer fails to pay you the required minimum wage and overtime, you may be entitled to your unpaid wages, plus up to double the amount owed, plus your attorney’s fees and costs. If you have questions about the pay practices where you work, call Bober & Bober, P.A. at 1-800-995-9243 for a free consultation.