Federal Wage Compensation

The world is filled with luxuries such as personal islands, gold-plated cars, or crystal pianos. What about everyday items like food, clothing, and shelter? Families in the United States can barely afford such items because of an American tragedy: the minimum wage. Though the sights and sounds of fluttering money is alluring, it is also elusive. The minimum wage is a tragic loss for the United States because it cannot even provide the bare minimum for employees working tirelessly for it. Opposition of raising it can be negated by statistics that show how the country can move into a brighter future. Data from economic research shows

Nationwide government officials often wonder how this country is going to overcome unemployment, and the common misconception is through the provision of low wage jobs. By providing people with some source of income, congress believes millions will no longer depend on government aid. In actuality, however, providing minimum wage work is not going to solve such a drastic problem now, in the future, or at all for that matter. Minimum wage ($5.15), while serving at the socially acceptable pay standard, does not even compare with the nationwide ?living wage? of $10.18 (Ramisch). It is becoming increasingly more difficult to survive on such tragic wages, yet there is often little debate because it is money, and every little bit matters when it comes to paying bills.

When you see fully capable men or women asking for handouts or taking advantage of others accomplishments, it triggers frustration and anger but you can still go about with your daily life. When you see your favorite restaurants or establishments closed because they cannot up keep their workers’ wages that the state induced, now it becomes infuriating. Society tend to better their lives through trade skills, years of education, personal development, perseverance, and hard work in order to reach success. The moment we adopt new laws in order to meet the demands that minimum wage is not sufficient, is when we start seeing the economic collapse that will take tenfold the time to repair than it did to create. Adopting these new laws will influence

Mike Durant once said, “Making it more expensive to create new jobs is a perfect way to guarantee fewer of them.” The recent, “Raise the Wage” campaigns have sparked an interest in many low-wage workers. However, those who support this initiative are unaware of the economic problems that will arise if this is successful. Several cities have already raised their minimum wages and some, like Seattle, are raising it as high as $15 per hour. Currently, supporters of this campaign argue that the government should implement this increase federally. However, doing so will have broad and adverse financial implications. Ever since the Great Depression, the minimum wage has been in effect — to reduce poverty and solidify that employees

In this article, the author discusses the significance of living wages for workers in the US. The author explains that over the past decades, families have been unable to keep in stride with the cost of living, due to low income. While jobs are being created, they do not provide sufficient wages for many families. Additionally, due to the requirements of some federal assistance programs, individuals must accept these employments, regardless of pay. As the economy has grown, the wages remains the same and many minimum wage earners fall below the poverty line.

Mike Durant once said, “Making it more expensive to create new jobs is a perfect way to guarantee fewer of them.” The recent, “Raise the Wage” campaigns have sparked an interest in many low-wage workers. However, those who support this initiative are unaware of the economic problems that will arise if this is successful. Several cities have already raised their minimum wages and some, like Seattle, are raising it as high as $15 per hour. Currently, supporters of this campaign argue that the government should implement this increase federally. However, doing so will have broad and adverse financial implications. Ever since the Great Depression, the minimum wage has been in effect — to reduce poverty and solidify that

Raising minimum wages is a contestable issue because it is debated in wide and varied audiences. Minimum wage is near the top of economists’ interest; they are looking for the connection between low wages and poor job markets. Each country sets its own laws and regulations regarding wages. For this reason, it has significant importance to policy makers and workers in each of those respective countries. Social activists have also found interest in the topic due to the fact that those who earn a minimum wage tend to come from poor minority families. Furthermore, the average American should have the strongest interest in the conversation because most citizens have been paid a minimum wage at some point in their life. Due to this fact, the idea of a significant federal minimum wage increase in America is open for debate specifically to rejuvenate the job industry, improve living conditions for citizens, and strengthen the economy as a whole.

The problem addressed in this dissertation is the federal minimum wage in the United States (US). The federal minimum wage in the US has been at a standstill for many years. While policy makers are undecided whether to increase the federal minimum wage, the workforce is held in a quandary. The lag time between increases in the minimum wage imposes grief among the workforce and they’re families. (Addison et al, 2013) Workers earning only the minimum wage face daily struggles with a list of impossible situations, including adjusting to economic changes, healthcare issues, unpaid bills and employment injustice. (Milkman et al, 2012; Smith, 2015) Changes within the consumer price index (CPI) generate situations where many individuals and families

Umesh Regmi Dr. Lisa Moody English 101 Section 54 22 November 2014 Time for a Raise “A family with two kids that earns the minimum wage still lives below the poverty line. That’s wrong. Tonight, let’s declare that in the wealthiest nation on Earth, no one who works full time should have to live in poverty.” —President Barack Obama. For the purpose of keeping America out of poverty and increase consumer purchasing power in order to simulate the economy, President Franklin Roosevelt signed the law of minimum wage on June 25, 1938 as a part of the Fair labor Standards Act of 1938. The first minimum wage was $0.25 an hour, which is equivalent to $4.18 in today’s dollars. Started from $0.25 an hour, the minimum wage was raised to $7.25 per hour on July 24, 2009. Although the minimum wage has been increased to $7.25 an hour, the value of it has fallen sharply over the past forty years. In 1968, the federal minimum wage was $1.60 an hour, which translates to $10.90 in 2013 dollars. One of the most important reasons behind declaring the minimum wage law is to ensure that even the lowest-paid workers would receive an adequate level of pay. Adjusted for inflation, the minimum wage raise in 2009 was way lower than it was in 1968. The law that promises to pay its workers sufficient money for their living has failed in past decades. In order to adjust the minimum wage to the inflation, to improve the living standard of the people, and to boost the overall economy of the country,

Millions of Americans live in poverty unable to find high paying jobs to support themselves and their families. A common belief is that paying a higher minimum wage would help lift people out of poverty by giving those with low paying jobs a higher income, however the evidence suggests otherwise. The 2016 race to the White House heating up, the minimum wage battle is at the forefront of every economic discussion. The rhetoric between candidates within and across party lines is intensifying. Many differing opinions are being heard. As the debate over whether or not to raise the federal minimum wage from $7.25/hour to $15/hour rages on, one side stands apart time and time again.

“Raise the wage!” reads many protestors’ signs across America. Many people believe this to be the answer to the financial inequality that plagues our country. The federal minimum wage was established to keep workers from settling on a poor living standard (Leonard A.11). Since this was passed, multiple debates and issues have risen. One begins to ask the question, is this truly the best way to resolve the unequal distribution of wealth? After research, it has been found that there are many drawbacks that are related to raising the minimum wage. Because of the number of harmful, detrimental, disadvantageous effects of increasing the base pay, the country should not continuously raise it.

In this article the authors focus on the uncompensated wages that workers do not receive. They explained that across the US, violations of the minimum wage laws is becoming more common. The three largest municipalities under scrutiny are Chicago, New York and Los Angeles. In addition to not being fairly compensated for their work, low income workers have to deal with added stress imposed by managers, as to breaks while at work, not being compensated for work when asked to perform their duties and being paid late. Which can cause additional issues with bill collectors for late payments. According to the FLSA, states are able to supersede federal mandates by increasing standards of the legislation, not to lower it. However, to thwart the misbehavior

The problem addressed in this dissertation is that the federal minimum wage in the United States (US) has been at a stalemate for several years. (Addison et al, 2013) While policy makers are undecided whether to sign a bill into law that will increase the federal minimum wage, the workforce is held in a quandary. The inequality of wages across the country is unbalanced, because some states and various industries are exempt from the minimum wage laws. (Clain, 2012) Due to lack of awareness of the minimum wage laws, the workforce employed by these industries or resides in the states that are exempt from the minimum wage laws, is at a disadvantage on wage equality. Unfortunately, even if some individuals are aware of the minimum wage laws, the lack of financial resources to relocate for better employment opportunities or even to obtain a higher education will be difficult for these individuals and their families. (Baron, 2014) Workers who earn only the minimum wage or below, are likely to have a lower education level, less skills or experience, or a disability that limits their ability to perform in certain jobs. (Hoffman, 2014; Smith, 2015) Consequently, individuals and their families are left to depend on government assistance programs, in order to make up for the income that they’re lacking. (Mărginean & Chenic 2013; Milkman et al, 2012) In some cases, the possibility of these individuals or groups participating in criminal activities is more likely to occur, due to low

Minimum wage is a contentious issue only because it is debated by a vast and eclectic audience that cares for the heart of the matter. Minimum wage is at the source of the economist 's main interest; in pursuit of discovering its connection to job loss. Countries all around the globe, maintain minimum wage laws without any noticeable fluctuation. For this reason, it is coming to an apparent importance to policy makers everywhere. Those that tend to earn a minimum wage are mainly coming from low income and minority families. The minimum wage has attracted attention from social activists all over as well. The topic is perhaps most intriguing to the average, normal class American. At some time in our long but short lives, almost every single person has been paid at the minimum wage. Due to this, it is of popular debate over dinner, at restaurants, and in the typical American living room. More importantly it’s now being, and sort of always has been discussed by those of our government.

“Paying your employees well is not only the right thing to do, but it makes for good business”-Jim Sinegal, CEO of Costco. Many of America’s employees are not being paid well, however, for the annual income of a full-time employee who works year-round is less than $16,000 (about $15, 080) according to the current federal minimum wage (Rebuilding). To put into retrospect how out-dated the federal minimum wage is, consider that the minimum wage of 1956 amounted to exactly $7.93 in 2009 (Henderson). How progressive is it that our nation’s workers being paid less today than workers from the 50’s? The federal minimum wage should be raised in order to assist families out of poverty, to ensure the effort and loyalty of workers, and