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Florida labor laws protect the rights of employees against harassment of any sort and other things. Compared to the Fair Labor Standards act, Florida Labor Laws are more specific and far-reaching.
There are guidelines when it comes to paying employees. However, some employers don’t follow the law. This may be due to several reasons; they may not have ample knowledge about what the law requires. Others just blatantly ignore the rules for personal gain. As a businessperson, you must follow the regulations for the business’s longevity.
FL Minimum Wage Laws
The state plans to increase its minimum wage rate to $15 by 2026. Thus, as part of that plan, Florida increased its minimum wage rate to $11.00/hour and $7.98/hour for tipped employees. Florida labor laws state that employers cannot pay less than the minimum.
However, there are exceptions to the law. For example, this does not include those earning less than $684/week. Other exemptions are the following:
- Executive workers
- Administrative workers
- Learned and creative professionals
- Computer employees
- Outside Sales
- Tipped employees, and
- Minors
FL Overtime Laws
Florida labor laws don’t have guidelines about overtime pay. Therefore, federal laws are used. The law stipulates that non-exempt workers must be paid 1.5x their usual pay when they work beyond the 40-hour work week.
Exceptions to this law are those also exempted from the minimum wage laws. Additionally, blue-collar workers are also not included and thus ineligible for overtime pay.
FL Severance Pay Laws
Another common issue among employees and employers is severance pay. In truth, Florida labor laws do not include severance pay guidelines. Therefore, employees cannot force their employers to give them severance pay unless they have a contract or agreement.
In most cases, employers only offer severance pay in exchange for confidentiality agreements, anti-disparagement, etc. Often, the payout is as follows:
- A year or less – 2 to four weeks of pay
- Less than two years – 3 to 8 weeks (about two months) of pay
- Less than three years – 4 to 12 weeks (about three months) of pay
The longer workers stay with the company, the more severance pay they receive.
Common FL Labor Law Violations
Employers report businesses for labor law violations every year. Therefore, this does not only negatively affect the employees but also the business. Workers have the right to sue their employees and face legal consequences. Here are some of the most common examples of labor law violations.
Not paying for bonuses/commissions.
Employees are eligible for bonuses or commissions if the employment contract says it.
Wrongful pay deductions
Many employers deduct uniforms and work supplies from their worker’s paychecks. Thus, the pay is lower than the minimum wage. Others also knowingly put in deductions that their workers don’t understand or take notice of.
Sexual harassment
Another example of labor law violations. Florida’s civil rights protect employers against any form of harassment in the workplace.
The FL employment laws guide is for employees and employers. The FL employment laws do protect not only the workers but also the businesses. If you’re an entrepreneur, it’s necessary that you know these laws and make sure that you abide by them. This saves you from any lawsuit coming your way in the future. As a worker, knowing the law and your rights protects you from being taken advantage of in any way or form.