Would it be legal for a company to pay me like this?

Question

Being 14, I would like to start a summer job. My mother, a painter at Hawkins Enterprises (she paints homes after fire/water damage) had a genius idea. Since we live in the middle of nowhere, and there are no businesses nearby, the only job I could get is with her, being a painter's helper. Unscrewing lightbulbs, taping around edges, fetching things from the company vehicle, etc. can save her a lot of time, therefore giving the company more time to do more jobs (they are getting way behind on their jobs, they currently have 8 jobs that no one has come out to yet. They plan to be out of business by July).

As far as pay, however, I feel minimum wage is too high. After getting a child work form signed by the county and my school administrator, I feel it's time to talk to them about pay. My mother agrees. Is it possible for them to pay me PER DAY, instead of per hour? I'm thinking like 30-50 dollars a day for an 8 hour day. Minimum wage is 7.50 an hour. I would only work 3/4 days a week

Answer 1

It doesn't matter whether the words you use to describe your pay are "per day" or "per hour", it amounts to the same thing. Are you trying to figure out a way for them to pay you less than minimum wage, legally? You can't. Everyone involved in this situation knows how to do math. If minimum wage is $7.50 an hour and you say "Oh, that's OK, they're paying me by the day, not by the hour" and you get $40 for an eight-hour day, then guess what? Everyone is going to know that you're only being paid $5 an hour. And that's illegal.

Answer 2

Dear 14 years old an honest! I believe that you are right on target with your pay assessment. If you look at your math caculations, you would be just about right. You go get that job and I for one commend you and your parents for instilling in you these honest principals!

Answer 3

Paying people under minimum wage or paying them cash to avoid paying taxes are both illegal.

Answer 4

you are refusing money? are you insane? If your Mom has no trouble paying you min wage, why are you opposed to it?

Answer 5

It is quite illegal.

Your work is valuable.

It has to be legal for their insurance to cover you when that light bulb you are unscrewing pops and spews glass in your face, or the paint fumes make you sick.

I think they should pay you about $20.00 per hour and you can put half of it towards college in a Coverdell ESA account.