Most people wish they earned a little bit more for the work they do. It can be hard to make ends meet on a basic salary and harder still to put some money aside for emergencies or a much-needed vacation. It is a situation that many workers in Missouri face. However, many of these employees do not realize that a large part of the problem is that they are being underpaid for their work.
This can happen for many reasons, but in many cases it occurs as a result of the more complicated laws surrounding positions where you can be paid in tips. In general if you are tipped in excess of $30 per month, federal law allows a wage as low as $2.13 per hour. However, this only applies if your combined tips and wages add up to give you an hourly rate equivalent to the normal minimum wage.
The federal minimum per hour is $7.55, but if a state has a higher minimum wage in place, then that figure applies instead. Meanwhile, as this article on fair wages mentions, some states also mandate the payment of the full minimum wage even to employees who receive tips. In other cases, the minimum to be paid to these workers is lower, but still above the federal guideline.
This can seem like a lot to take in, and it might not immediately be clear whether you should be entitled to a higher wage or not. However, an attorney may be able to provide you with more detailed advice about your individual situation and the steps you can take to secure the fair treatment you deserve.
