If you’re an employee in Florida who isn’t earning minimum wage, there are legal actions you can take. Employers are required by law to pay their workers a minimum wage. In Florida, the state minimum wage is actually a little bit higher than the federal minimum wage. It’s important to understand that employees in Florida must be paid the state-set minimum wage. If you haven’t been earning at least $7.79 an hour, you need to contact an experienced minimum wage lawyer to get the ball rolling on your case.

Minimum Wage Law in Florida and the FLSA

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which sets federal labor standards, requires that all employees be paid a minimum wage. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the current federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour. In Florida, the minimum wage has been raised to $7.79 per hour. This rate has been adjusted by analyzing inflation and the Consumer Price Index. Employers are required by law to pay the higher of the two wages.

Timing is Everything

Collecting back wages in Florida has to be done in a timely manner. Under the FLSA, an employee only has a limited amount of time to sue for back wages. Luckily, the Florida Constitution has expanded on this window of time, allowing employees an additional amount of time to file lawsuits. Hiring an experienced employment law attorney is the first step in recovering rightful wages.

What about Retaliation?

Some employees may not want to file claims against their employers in fear of retaliation. This is a terrible reason to avoid earning what is rightfully yours. It is unlawful for an employer to retaliate against an employee who files a claim of minimum wage noncompliance. Employers who are found to have intentionally violated the minimum wage law can be sued for earned back wages and fined up to $1,000 per violation.

If you haven’t been lawfully compensated for your time, contact an experienced employment lawyer as soon as possible. The skilled legal team at Weldon & Rothman, PL can help you file a claim against your employer for back wages.

Legal Disclaimer: The above guidelines are educational in nature and do not create an attorney/client relationship. It is highly recommended that all Florida citizens with employment law issues contact an experienced local Florida employment law attorney to assist them with specific facts and circumstances regarding their labor and employment law matter. If you have been the victim of illegal activities at your workplace, then feel free to contact Attorney Rothman at Weldon & Rothman, PL toll free at (877) 730-5180 or via e-mail at info@weldonrothman.com

Bradley P. Rothman is an experienced Florida employment law attorney who has been recognized by Super Lawyers as a Rising Star.  He is a principal member of Weldon & Rothman, PL – a Southwest Florida law firm with offices in Naples, Fort Myers, and Sarasota.