In Florida, minimum wage and overtime laws are designed to ensure fair compensation for employees. It’s illegal for employers to try to skirt around these laws.
Understanding these laws is crucial for employers and employees to ensure compliance and know their rights.
Minimum wage in Florida
As of September 30, 2023, Florida’s minimum wage is $12.00 per hour. This rate is part of a gradual increase approved by Florida voters in November 2020, aiming to reach $15.00 per hour by September 2026. The schedule for these increases is as follows:
- September 30, 2023: $12.00 per hour
- September 30, 2024: $13.00 per hour
- September 30, 2025: $14.00 per hour
- September 30, 2026: $15.00 per hour
For tipped employees, the minimum wage is different. As of 2023, Florida allows employers to pay tipped employees a lower cash wage than the standard minimum wage as long as the combination of tips and wages meets or exceeds the regular minimum wage. The cash wage for tipped employees must be at least $5.44 per hour.
Overtime laws in Florida
Florida’s overtime laws stipulate that most hourly employees are entitled to a special overtime pay rate for any hours worked over 40 in a single work week, defined as any seven consecutive work days. The overtime rate is 1.5 times an employee’s normal hourly wage.
There isn’t a specific daily overtime limit in Florida, meaning that overtime is calculated based on a weekly total rather than the number of hours worked in a single day. There is an exception for manual laborers working more than 10 hours per day. They’re entitled to overtime pay for hours over 10 per day.
These laws are critical for the fair compensation of workers in Florida and are enforced to protect the rights of employees while providing guidelines for employers. For employees, taking legal action is possible if they aren’t receiving the pay they’re due.