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
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
This research paper will be addressing minimum wage and the comparison and correlation of it from when it was first instituted through the Fair Labor Act of 1938 to now in 2015. This paper will also go into the inequality of pay concerning women as well. Some factors that I’m focusing on are instances that have affected minimum wage, firstly the affect that unions had in guaranteeing the continuing rise of minimum wage along with inflation until it began to stagnate in the 1970s, which seemed to happen in correlation with the decline of companies encouraging unions; and, secondly what has happened to the work force as a result of women transitioning from free home and domestic work to paid jobs in the market place in such great numbers.
Throughout history of the US, workers has been treated unfairly and not compensated for their contributions in the workforce. Additionally, many have not even been recognized for their efforts. However, in order to earn decent wages, it takes policy makers at least 7 – 10 years, before even mentioning an increase in wages (DOL, 2016). In the past, when an increased was provided, it was still insufficient for low-income workers and their families. While some policy makers deem that an increase in wages is economically fair, others still oppose the concept, thus making it difficult for minimum wage earners (Hovenga et al, 2013).
The idea to raise the US FMW has been gaining traction in recent years. While some states and cities taken it upon themselves to enact legislation to raise minimum wage in their jurisdictions, to raise it across the entire country is a different debate. In this paper I will provide history pertaining to when and why minimum wage came to be in the US. ...
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.
Presently, the citizens of the United States of America are involved in an impassioned debate over the federal minimum wage. As of October 5, 2016, the federal minimum wage is set at seven dollars and twenty-five cents an hour. There are numerous amounts of stakeholders when it comes to minimum wage. The three stakeholders mentioned in this essay will be Companies, Employees, and the Economy. In addition to the stakeholders, this essay will also dig into the history of the United States Federal Minimum Wage and see how it has progressed over the years and if it kept up with inflation over the years. With this information, society will see what an increase to the federal minimum wage will have on the United States economy and labor force.
There has been many conversations about what the positive impacts can come to America 's lowest income workers as a result of an increase in the minimum wage, and there has also been equally as many discussions over the negative effects the increase can have on similar people. This paper’s purpose is to combine each viewpoint and objectively analyze the arguments for and against an increase in the minimum wage. I will first discuss the benefits for an increase, then the disadvantages, and in the last paragraph, I will
In 1938, The United States enacted a minimum wage law under the Fair Labor Standards Act that made employers pay their workers at least twenty-five cents. The law was intended to reduce the amount of Americans living in poverty and keep track of unjust business practices. Still to this day, we Americans argue over the controversy due to low minimum wage and high inflation rates. The deregulation of business and the inconsistent government policies have led to an alarming problem, the minimum wage isn’t enough for Americans to live off of nor is it doing its original purpose by getting citizens out of poverty.
The modern minimum wage was established by the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA) Franklin Roosevelt signed the law which passed by an overwhelming majority (Grossman, 1978). While a minimum wage is certainly an altruistic idea and one that receives widespread public support, there is a question among economists such as Richard Burkhauser as to the effectiveness of minimum wage on reducing the level of poverty. “Minimum-wage increases (1998-2003) did not affect poverty rates overall, or among the working poor” (Burkhauser & Sabia, 2007). In addition, some of the minimum wage laws which came before the FLSA were challenged in the Supreme Court, such as in Schecter Poultry Corporate v. U.S in 1935, and declared unconstitutional. While there
“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.
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
Living a life without issues is like living a life without water. It is simply a life that is nearly impossible. That being said, it is fair to say that all humankind deals with issues of some form or another. In the midst of all the issues one encounters throughout their lives, there is one issue in particular that always seems to make national headlines. The federal minimum wage paid to employees is the contentious issue which affects multitudes of people. This matter not only impacts individuals as American citizens and workers, but as students as well. As stated on the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, minimum wage is defined as the lowest wage paid or permitted to be paid; specifically, a wage fixed by legal authority or by contract as the least
The controversy over what to establish as the official minimum wage in the United States has been debated and argued over for many years. Due to inflation, the gradual increase of pricings due to a saturation of printed currency, the minimum wage for workers has to be increased in order to compensate for the ever-fluctuating value of the U.S. Dollar. Many today are rising to the conclusion that a minimum wage of fifteen dollars an hour is necessary. This motion is designed to keep those who have minimum wage income out of poverty and to increase the amount of money in the consumer’s pocket overall. However, this particular increase in minimum wage will lead to the inevitable downfall of the United States’ economy and be a catastrophe for the working class.
In United States, we hear the government, businesses argued about minimum wage. Whether it should be raised or leave it the way it is. But, what exactly is minimum wages? Minimum wage is the least amount of money per hour that must be paid to a worker after surrounding a service according to the law. Many working class families’ lives depend on this minimum wages. There are few families who make less than $15000 a year who feed their families on this salary and still pay bills from it. Over the past year, the federal government has been working toward raising the minimum wage but not all the congress women and men agree on this takes, also not all employers are ready to raise the amount per hour for their employees. Over the last few years, the government has argued on whether it’s right to raise the minimum wage, to distinct who it will benefit more. There have been several laws that have been passed to raise the minimum wage but, the federal government decided to gives each states the right to choose whether they would want to raise their minimum wages.
“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