Topics
Sub-Minimum Wages
Editor's Note: Very low wages are sometimes allowed for individuals with disabilities, students and certain other workers.
Overview: Under minimum wage laws, employers may sometimes pay certain workers - including individuals whose earning or productive capacity is impaired by a physical or mental disability, full-time students, apprentices, messengers and student-learners - wages even lower than the minimum wage, known as subminimum wages.
The federal government and most state governments require employers to obtain special certification before hiring workers at subminimum wages.
The main goal of subminimum wages is to provide employment opportunities to workers who might not otherwise find work.
Trends: The National Council on Disability, a small but influential advisory agency that is credited with playing a major role in the passage of the Americans With Disabilities Act, has recommended that subminimum wages for individuals with disabilities under the Fair Labor Standards Act be phased out over a six-year period.
If the federal government follows this recommendation, many if not all states can be expected to follow in its footsteps.
Michael Cardman, Legal Editor
Latest items in Sub-Minimum Wages
-
Retail Resource Center for HR: Wage and Hour
XpertHR's Retail Resource Center for HR: Wage and Hour helps retail employers handle their most vexing employment issues by bringing relevant resources together in one place for easy access.
-
Minimum Wage: Rhode Island
In-depth review of the spectrum of Rhode Island employment law requirements HR must follow with respect to minimum wage.
-
Minimum Wage: Vermont
In-depth review of the spectrum of Vermont employment law requirements HR must follow in respect to minimum wage.
-
Minimum Wage: Washington
In-depth review of the spectrum of Washington employment law requirements HR must follow with respect to minimum wage.
-
Minimum Wage: Arizona
In-depth review of the spectrum of Arizona employment law requirements HR must follow with respect to minimum wage.
-
Minimum Wage: California
In-depth review of the spectrum of California employment law requirements HR must follow with respect to minimum wage.
-
Minimum Wage: Colorado
In-depth review of the spectrum of Colorado employment law requirements HR must follow with respect to minimum wage.
-
Minimum Wage: Florida
In-depth review of the spectrum of Florida employment law requirements HR must follow with respect to minimum wage.
-
Minimum Wage: Missouri
In-depth review of the spectrum of Missouri employment law requirements HR must follow with respect to minimum wage.
-
Minimum Wage: Montana
In-depth review of the spectrum of Montana employment law requirements HR must follow with respect to minimum wage.
About this topic
HR guidance on paying subminimum wages to full-time students, apprentices, messengers, student-learners and individuals whose earning or productive capacity is impaired by a physical or mental disability.