Minimum wage is the minimum amount of money an employer must pay employees. But, contrary to popular belief, there are situations where employers do not have to pay minimum wage! At James Hawkins APLC in Orange County, California, we specialize in educating and defending our clients when it matters most. Whether you are an employee or an employer, here are four exemptions that allow businesses to not pay minimum wage. If you do not apply to these exceptions and are experiencing low pay, reach out to us today to get a minimum wage lawsuit started.
When Would an Employer Not Have to Pay Minimum Wage?
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When Would an Employer Not Have to Pay Minimum Wage?

Age Dependence
In some cases, businesses can avoid paying minimum wage if their employees are younger than 20. For workers under the age of 20, there is a different federally mandated minimum wage. If you have questions about this, reach out to us today!

Full-Time Students
For full-time students employed in retail or service stores, at universities, and in agriculture, the employer is allowed to pay no less than 85% of the federal minimum wage. This requires a certificate from the department of labor and that certificate also limits the amount of time that an employee is allowed to work.

Business Exceptions
The Fair Labor Standards Act encompasses the federal minimum wage requirements, but businesses do not fall under these requirements unless they do more than $500,000 in sales annually or do business over state lines. For more questions about this, reach out to James Hawkins APLC to find out more about the California minimum wage.

Tipped Wages
This one is a little more well-known, but for food workers, baristas, and other tipped employees, the federal government and most states have a different minimum wage for those employees. If you think that you are being incorrectly paid at your job, reach out to us today to get started with your minimum wage lawsuit.
At James Hawkins, we specialize in defending our clients — helping them not only be fairly treated but also to earn the money they have earned. If you are looking to win your minimum wage lawsuit, reach out to us today!