Question

A new veterinary assistant, also a senior at a veterinary charter high school, is hired to work part-time at a veterinary hospital for minimum wage. The state's minimum wage is less than the minimum wage set by the federal government. Which of the following is the most appropriate minimum wage to pay the new assistant?

1) The state's minimum wage
2) The federal government's minimum wage
3) There is no mandate; the decision is up to the practice manager.

Answer 1

The employer must pay the higher federal minimum wage to the new veterinary assistant, as the state's minimum wage is less than the minimum set by the federal government.

Step-by-step explanation:

When determining the appropriate minimum wage to pay a new veterinary assistant, the law requires that the higher of the federal or state minimum wage must be applied. In this case, since the state's minimum wage is less than the federal government's, the employer must pay the federal minimum wage. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), employers are prohibited from paying employees less than the federal minimum wage when it is higher than the state minimum wage.

An example of the necessity and impact of this can be seen in the increase in state and city minimum wages across the United States, with New Jersey, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, and New York passing $15 minimum wages, highlighting the move towards a living wage. Furthermore, as of mid-2009, the federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, which is less than what is needed to ensure a reasonable standard of living and lift a family out of poverty.