Why don't previous employees get a raise when the minimum wage goes up?

Question

ok, so I live in the great state of Illinois, where they just raised the minimum wage again to $7.75 on July 1st. They will be raising it again in 2009 and 2010. Now, why don't any hourly employees get that raise as well? How is it fair that employees just hired in end up getting paid more than employees who have been there a year, doing the same thing? Shouldn't previous employees get the same cost-of-living raise to keep things fair?

Answer 1

What do you mean they get hired and make more than you?  If minimum wage went up and now you're below minimum wage they have to bump you up to at least minimum wage.

If you mean say, you make $8.00 and now they are coming in at $7.75, that is just wrong that your hourly wage wasn't adjusted accordingly.  Sadly, however it is not the law so just chalk it up to having a tight *ss boss.  But perhaps if you approach him/her and point out that you deserve a raise (if you do) maybe you can convince him/her.

Answer 2

I live in Wisconsin and my sister just left her job where she made $7.00/hr. (pathetic, huh) They hired someone at $6.85/hr & she was there for 2 years. When she approached the boss about it, he told her he would mention it to "Corporate". Guess what? That was 3 months ago & no raise!!!!

There is no law that says current employees can be bumped up when minimum wage is increased--nowhere. You legally do get bumped up if you are not making what the wage goes up to, though.

But I understand--it is bullsh!t.

Answer 3

Yes, and that is what I have enjoyed about working for a company that WILL increase your wage if minimum wage goes up, because obviously living expenses are...well getting more expensive.  Unfortunately though not all business' go by the same code.  Have you tried talking with a supervisor about the situation?  There maybe something in the works.  If not see if there is something that you and some other employees maybe able to do to have the attention drawn to the situation.  Something obviously needs to be ammended somewhere if this is the case.

Answer 4

Some employers do, it just depends on their policy. Most are not going to bump you up though if it's not going to push you below minimum so they don't have to shell out as much money.

It makes me mad too though because I am a salaried worker, but if I miss I still get the per hour amount taken out just like if I was hourly, yet I don't get a raise when minimum jumps. We only went to 6.55 here in MS and will be going to 7.25 next year, but it doesn't affect my salary more.

It is frustrating to know that now even someone that was just hired is going to be making closer to my salary just because they are hourly paid. It means my difference above minimum is lower and it's almost like a pay cut since everything around us is going up due to the higher wage requirements. So not raising EVERYONE's pay when the minimums get one is really a BIG INSULT!!

That's not going to change anything though, employers are still going to be cheap.