What is the minimum wage for 2017?
New York, New York — Do you know your right to minimum wage? Most employees have the right to a minimum wage rate, which is the lowest hourly pay that can be awarded to workers or pay floor that employers can not fall below.
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) determines the minimum wage for employees in private and public sectors, in both Federal and State governments. Under the FLSA, non-exempt employees must be paid the minimum wage or higher.
Currently, in 2017, the federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour. This has not increased since 2009, however, some states have a higher minimum wage rate, like here in the state of New York. Moreover, if the state minimum wage rate is higher than the federal minimum wage rate, employers must pay workers the higher state rate.
In the state of New York, the current minimum wage rate is $9.70 per hour. Since this is higher than the federal rate discussed above, employers in the state of New York must pay this higher rate. Moreover, the New York rate is set to incrementally increase over the next few years. By the end of 2017 it will increase to $10.40 per hour thereafter increase until it reached $12.50 per hour by December 31, 2020.
For individuals working in New York City, even higher minimum wage laws apply. In 2012, New York City enacted The Fair Wages for New Yorkers Act, also known as the Living Wage Law. The Living Wage Law requires certain employers that receive at least $1 million of financial assistance from the City or a City economic development entity to pay no less than the “LIVING WAGE” to their employees at the project site, unless the employer qualifies for certain exemptions. Moreover, in 2014 Mayor Bill de Blasio signed Executive Order No. 7, which sets an even higher standard. Under these New York City laws, the current living wage rate is $11.90 per hour if the position comes with health benefits or $13.65 per hour if health benefits are not included.
Whether or not an employee is covered by federal, state, or city law is tricky business, as there can be many exemptions under the law. If you feel your employer is not paying you fairly under the law, or the you have been subject to unlawful discrimination on the job contact one of our New York City attorneys at the Derek Smith Law Group, PLLC today for a free consultation. Our attorneys have years of experience litigating claims of gender discrimination. Working together with our Philadelphia sexual harassment attorneys, we have recovered millions on behalf of our clients who were discriminated against because of their gender. If you feel you have been discriminated against because of your gender, please give our attorneys a call at (800) 807-2209 for a free consultation.

Call today to schedule a FREE sexual harassment or employment discrimination legal Consultation in NY, NJ & PA with one of our top rated employment law or sexual harassment attorneys here at the Derek Smith Law Group. You can reach us online or by calling . Our New York City, New Jersey and Philadelphia labor & employment law attorneys handle a variety of cases involving sexual harassment, racial discrimination, pregnancy discrimination, and other employment-related claims. We serve clients throughout New York, including Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. We also have offices in New Jersey and Philadelphia to serve you.

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