http://www.preceptgroup.com/blog/2009/federal-minimum-wage-increase-july-2009/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=federal-minimum-wage-increase-july-2009 An insider's perspective on employee benefit programs and the issues that affect employers most. Sun, 01 Aug 2010 12:03:04 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 http://www.preceptgroup.com/blog/2009/federal-minimum-wage-increase-july-2009/#comment-3119 Kristina Miller Mon, 28 Sep 2009 20:49:47 +0000 http://www.preceptgroup.com/blog/?p=2921#comment-3119 I find this very interesting that the Federal Government is increasing the minimum wage. While various states piggy back onto Federal Law, like Arizona, and don't have their own wage and hour requirements, this has a huge impact on many of those states now. During a down turn in the economy, its an opportunity for lower cost areas to take advantage and incentivise corporation to relocate. However, with the federal minimum wage increasing at this time, it will have a dynamic trickle effect. It also increases the threshold of management/exemption pay to be above $30,160, causing employers to not only audit and increase their non-exempt employees, but to rebudget their management costs. Agreed the cost of living continues to rise, and minimum wage laws should be increased appropriately at the state and federal level, but the timing does not seem right. Just more tough times to come for small employers in remote/rural areas. I find this very interesting that the Federal Government is increasing the minimum wage. While various states piggy back onto Federal Law, like Arizona, and don’t have their own wage and hour requirements, this has a huge impact on many of those states now. During a down turn in the economy, its an opportunity for lower cost areas to take advantage and incentivise corporation to relocate. However, with the federal minimum wage increasing at this time, it will have a dynamic trickle effect. It also increases the threshold of management/exemption pay to be above $30,160, causing employers to not only audit and increase their non-exempt employees, but to rebudget their management costs. Agreed the cost of living continues to rise, and minimum wage laws should be increased appropriately at the state and federal level, but the timing does not seem right. Just more tough times to come for small employers in remote/rural areas.

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