Miami Employment Lawyer Blog

Businesses in Miami and throughout South Florida need to take note of Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis' recent comments that she will make wage and hour law enforcement a priority during her term. She recently stated that "As Secretary of Labor, I am committed to ensuring that every worker is paid at least the minimum wage, that those who work overtime are properly compensated, that child labor laws are strictly enforced and that every worker is provided a safe and healthful environment."

In connection with this initiative, the Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division has stated that it will be adding 150 new investigators to its field offices to refocus the agency on these enforcement responsibilities. Secretary Solis added that under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the Department of Labor will hire 100 investigators to ensure that contractors on stimulus projects are complying with the laws.

The addition of these 250 new field investigators constitutes an increase of more than one-third for the Wage and Hour Division. This staff increase is expected to reinvigorate the work of the Wage and Hour Division, which had suffered a loss of experienced personnel recently.

In July 2009, the federal minimum wage will increase to $7.25 per hour for all employers. In January 2009, all Florida employers were required to pay at least $7.21 per hour to all covered employees. Therefore, this is an increase from the Florida minimum wage for all covered employees. For restaurants that apply the "tip credit," the new direct minimum wage will go to $4.19 per hour, with the "tip credit" remaining at $2.13 per hour. See Wage and Hour Poster.