Is it against the law for your employer to pay you below min. wages?

Question

Is it against the law for your employer to pay you below min. wages?

Answer 1

In the USA, that would be yes with one exception;

"A tipped employee engages in an occupation in which he or she customarily and regularly receives more than $30 per month in tips. An employer of a tipped employee is only required to pay $2.13 per hour in direct wages if that amount combined with the tips received at least equals the federal minimum wage.

If the employee’s tips combined with the employer’s direct wages of at least $2.13 per hour do not equal the federal minimum hourly wage, the employer must make up the difference. Many states, however, require higher direct wage amounts for tipped employees."

http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/wages/wages...

Answer 2

No.  There's an even lower wage for tipped employees.

Answer 3

It depends on the industry.  For example, food servers who work for tips don't get paid minimum wage.  Most real estate agents and others who work on sole commission don't get paid anything unless they make a sale.

Answer 4

duh, come on now. Sue them.

Answer 5

There are some jobs that are allowed to pay less than the $6.55/hour minimum wage. For example:

- An employer may pay a tipped employee not less than $2.13 an hour in direct wages if that amount plus the tips received equal at least the federal minimum wage

- A minimum wage of $4.25 per hour applies to young workers under the age of 20 during their first 90 consecutive calendar days of employment with an employer. After 90 consecutive days of employment or the employee reaches 20 years of age, whichever comes first, the employee must receive a minimum wage of $6.55/hour.

- The Full-time Student Program is for full-time students employed in retail or service stores, agriculture, or colleges and universities. The employer that hires students can obtain a certificate from the Department of Labor which allows the student to be paid not less than 85% of the minimum wage.

Answer 6

For the most part yes, but there are wavers within the minimum wage code that do allow for lower wages.  

Answer 7

Not necessarily.

It would depend on the position, the nature of the business and whether or not they are subject to U.S. Labor Laws.

Answer 8

If you're an american citizen, yes. If you're an illegal immigrant, no.

But.. if you're getting paid less than minimum wage, why did you take the job? Point it out to your manager, and ask him why.

Answer 9

It depends on the job. If the job involves tips, the employer can reduce the wages as low as $2.15/hour. The minimum wage is not absolute.