Business

In the fall election of 2013, New Jersey voters approved a one dollar increase in the state’s minimum wage to $8.25 an hour.  Minimum wages are governed by both federal and state law; the federal government enforces a minimum wage of $7.25 an hour which states must follow unless they establish a higher wage.  Up until the election, New Jersey had followed the federal minimum wage but starting in 2014 will be one of 21 states with higher minimum wages than the federal standard. There are a couple exceptions to the federal minimum wage rule.  Tipped labor, such as waiters or hairdressers, can be paid as low as $2.13 an hour as long as their hourly wage plus tips equals at least the minimum wage.  Also, people under the age of 20 may be paid $4.25 an hour minimum for the first 90 days of employment.  Just like the standard federal minimum wage, these two minimums can be raised by a state if it wishes.  New Jersey has not amended it standards for tipped workers or for those under 20 years old. New Jersey was wage standards for other employment situations as well.  If a company employs a worker for over 40 hours a week, those overtime hours must...