Florida's Minimum Wage Is Set To Increase: What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?

December is here and across the state holiday decorations are abundant. While the decorations, which have been up since before good taste permits, remind us that the holiday season is here, there has not been much ado about the impending increase in Florida's minimum wage.

On January 1, 2018, Florida's minimum wage will increase, and like the holidays, this is something for which you will not want to be ill-prepared. If you are not prepared, you may be updating your payroll on New Year's Eve instead of counting down the new year with family and friends.

Great, now I have Harry Connick Jr's melancholy version of the 1947 classic by Frank Loesser stuck in my head: Maybe it's much too early in the game Ooh, but I thought I'd ask you just the same What are you doing New Year's New Year's Eve?

On January 1, 2018, Florida's minimum wage will increase from $8.10 to $8.25 an hour. Employers should be prepared to make adjustments to their minimum wage earners. Failing to pay non-exempt employees Florida's statutory minimum wage can result in claims against employers pursuant to Section 24, Article X of the State Constitution and Section 448.110, Florida Statutes.

The maximum tip credit ($3.02) that can be taken by Florida employers with tipped employees will remain the same, but the direct wage paid to tipped employees will increase from $5.08 to $5.23 an hour.

In addition to raising the minimum wage, Florida employers are required to post a minimum wage notice in a conspicuous and accessible location. Before the beginning of 2018 you will be able to download the 2018 Florida Minimum Wage Notice from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity's website. This notice requirement is in addition to the requirement that employers post regarding the federal minimum wage (which has not been increased).

There will also be commercially available Florida-specific “all-in-one posters” that satisfy both the federal and state notice requirements. The 2018 “all-in-one” posters should also be available in the near future.