Massachusetts Minimum Wage Reaches $15.00 an Hour
This week some employees should notice a raise in their paychecks as the minimum wage in Massachusetts rose to $15.00 an hour on January 1, 2023. This is the final increase from the “grand bargain” deal in 2018, when the minimum wage was only $11.00 an hour. Tipped workers will also see an increase to $6.75 an hour, up from $6.15 in 2022.
Paid Family Medical Leave Also Increased
There are also changes to the state’s Paid Family Medical Leave, which includes an increase of the maximum weekly benefit amount of $1,084.31 to $1,129.82. Employer contribution rates will also see a decrease which depends on the number of employees a company has.
While the increased wages will be welcomed by many of the lowest paid employees in the State it’s not all good news in 2023, as time and half pay for Sundays, and holidays is no longer mandated. That rate has steadily decreased since 2018 and in 2023 will be eliminated. The Federal Minimum Wage will remain at $7.25 an hour where it has sat since 2009. Twenty states still have a minimum wage at or below the Federal minimum making that their baseline.
While employees do not need to take any action to receive wage increases or PFML benefit increases, employers do have a few obligations to complete with their New Year’s resolutions. Employers should review payroll to make sure they follow the new minimum wages, along with updating their wage and hour poster. An updated copy is available here and must be displayed in a conspicuous location in the workplace.
Contact Cronin Law, P.C. for Wage Act Violations
If you or someone you know is not receiving the new minimum wage, your employer may have violated the Massachusetts Wage Act and you should contact Cronin Law, P.C. today at 617 213-6883 for a no-cost consultation.