Minimum Wage and Breaks Requirements for Florida Employers

As a business owner in Florida, you are required to comply with the state and federal laws concerning the minimum wage and breaks for your employees.

Minimum Wage:

The current minimum wage in Florida is $8.56 per hour (as of January 2021). This applies to most employees, except for tipped employees who must receive a minimum wage of $5.54 per hour. However, if the tips and the hourly wage do not equal or exceed the state's minimum wage, then the employer is required to make up the difference.

The federal minimum wage is currently $7.25 per hour which is lower than the minimum wage in Florida. However, when state and federal minimum wages differ, employers must pay the higher rate.

Breaks:

Florida law does not require employers to provide their employees with designated breaks or meal periods. However, if an employer chooses to offer breaks of 20 minutes or less, those break periods must be paid. Any break that exceeds 20 minutes can be unpaid.

It is important to note that if an employer does choose to offer breaks or meal periods, there are specific requirements that must be met. The break or meal period must be at least 30 minutes and cannot take place within the first two hours of work or the last hour of work.

Exceptions:

There may be exceptions to these requirements based on factors such as the industry or type of business, the number of employees, and whether the employees are exempt from overtime pay or not. For example, certain industries such as agricultural work or domestic work have different rules regarding minimum wage and breaks.

Further Action:

As a business owner, it is important to stay up-to-date on any changes to the applicable laws concerning minimum wage and breaks in Florida. You may also want to consult with an experienced employment attorney to ensure compliance with all legal requirements.

Legal Document:

If you require a legal document regarding minimum wage and breaks for employees, I can prepare a comprehensive employee handbook that outlines the requirements and policies for your business. This document will include information on minimum wage, breaks, and other employment policies that you need to comply with under Florida law.