Who is impacted by new minimum wage law?

Q: I work in a bookstore and enjoy my work. I work about 20 hours per week. My hours fluctuate based on the owner's needs. I have been reading about the new minimum wage in Massachusetts. Is this only for full-time employees because my manager has not mentioned a word about it? When is it effective (if I am eligible)? Maybe there is a waiting period? Please educate me!

A: A bookstore seems like a wonderful place to work! The new minimum wage law is effective on January 1, 2016 in the state of Massachusetts. There is no waiting period. The new minimum wage applies to most workers, except for service workers (e.g., wait staff and bartenders, who are eligible for income based on tips) and agricultural workers (e.g., employees who work on a farm). There are a few additional exceptions but would not likely apply in your situation. The new minimum wage, effective January 1, 2016, is $10.00 per hour.

The new minimum wage law applies to both full- and part-time employees in Massachusetts. It does not matter if you work 5 hours per week or 40 hours per week. A fluctuating schedule also does not exclude you from the law. On January 1, 2017 the new minimum wage will be $11.00 per hour.

Maybe your manager has already made the change via your payroll vendor but has not communicated the change to employees. Most payroll vendors are aware of the change and throughout 2015 and have been informing clients repeatedly of the requirement to comply.

I think it is acceptable to ask your manager about the change. After all, he or she may need a gentle reminder if somehow it slipped between the cracks. In this case, ignorance is not a defense, but perhaps a reminder would be welcomed!

Pattie Hunt Sinacole is a human resources expert and works for First Beacon Group in Hopkinton, an HR consulting firm. She contributes weekly to Boston.com Jobs and the Boston Sunday Globe Money & Careers section.

Minimum Wage for Cashiers

Q: I had heard that the minimum wage was going to increase in Massachusetts. I am applying for cashier jobs and they say they will pay minimum wage but it seems awfully low. What is the current minimum wage in Massachusetts? How does overtime work in Massachusetts for cashier positions?

A: Most employees in Massachusetts should be paid the minimum wage or higher. The current minimum wage in Massachusetts is $9.00, as of January 1, 2015. There are a few exceptions. For example, employees who are eligible to receive tips as part of their income (e.g., waitresses, bartenders, etc.), may be paid $3.00 per hour. However, tipped employees must still earn more than $9.00 per hour when all of their wages are combined. Some agricultural employees can also be paid $8.00 per hour. On January 1, 2016, the minimum wage in Massachusetts will be $10.00 per hour and then on January 1, 2018, the minimum wage will be $11.00 per hour. Visit http://www.mass.gov/lwd/labor-standards/minimum-wage/ for more information on the minimum wage law in Massachusetts.

Most cashier roles are classified as non-exempt. This means that the role is eligible for overtime pay. Overtime compensation should be paid when a non-exempt employee works more than 40 hours in a single work week.

On a related note, there is a new sick leave law that was passed in November, 2014. It requires employers to allow employees to earn and use sick time. Employers with 11 or more employees will need to offer paid sick time, however employers with fewer than 11 employees still have to offer the sick time but it does not have to be paid. The law isn't effective until July 1, 2015. Employers should think about how to implement this law in advance of July 1, 2015.

You are smart to ask questions about the minimum wage. For most cashier roles, you should be earning at least $9.00, at least in the state of Massachusetts.

Pattie Hunt Sinacole is a human resources expert and works for First Beacon Group in Hopkinton, an HR consulting firm. She contributes weekly to Boston.com Jobs and the Boston Sunday Globe Money & Careers section.