Big Changes for Workers in Arizona
In 2016, people in Arizona voted for Proposition 206. This law did two big things:
- It raised the minimum wage a little bit every year.
- It made sure workers could get paid sick time.
For most people who work from 9 to 5, this change was straightforward. But for people who work in jobs where they get tips, like in restaurants, it’s a bit more complicated.
What Tipped Workers Need to Know
If you earn tips at your job, it’s very important to watch how the minimum wage goes up each year. You need to make sure you’re getting paid at least the minimum wage. If your pay is less than the minimum wage, your boss has to pay you the difference. This is also true if you’re asked to do tasks that don’t help you earn tips.
You should know, if you’re spending a lot of time doing tasks that don’t let you earn tips, your boss might not be treating you fairly. There are laws to make sure you’re paid right for your hard work and always make at least the minimum wage.
If you think your boss isn’t paying you fairly, talking to a lawyer who knows about work laws can really help. You don’t have to figure this out by yourself. A good lawyer will know the laws and fight for your rights to make sure you get the pay you deserve.
Minimum Wage Details for Arizona Workers
Since January 2022, the minimum wage in Arizona is $12.80 per hour for workers who don’t get tips. If you do get tips, it affects your pay. Your boss only has to show that with your tips, you’re making at least the minimum wage. Then, they can pay you less in wages.
For example, tipped workers might be paid $9.80 per hour directly from their boss. As long as tips add at least $3 more per hour, making it $12.80 total, that’s okay by law. But, tipped workers need to be careful to track their earnings to make sure they’re not getting less than they should.
Tip-Related Work Explained
Tip-related work is anything you do that helps you earn tips, like serving customers, making drinks, or setting up your work area. Work that doesn’t help earn tips might be things like cleaning places you’re not working in, or doing tasks that have nothing to do with your main job.
There’s a rule called the 80/20 rule. It means if you’re doing non-tip work for more than 30 minutes at a time, or it takes up more than 20% of your work week, you should be paid the full minimum wage for that time.
If you’re not being treated fairly, try talking to your manager or HR first. If that doesn’t work, a lawyer who specializes in employment law can be a big help.
How a Lawyer Can Help You
A lawyer who knows about employment law can:
- Explain your rights
- Help you understand the laws
- Fight for you to get the pay you deserve
Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it. You work hard, and you should be paid fairly for it.
J. Horowitz leverages over two decades of experience as a seasoned employment law attorney in Arizona to offer insightful freelance writing on the same subject. After a successful career advocating for fairness and justice in the workplace, J. now dedicates his expertise to writing comprehensive articles, blog posts, and thought leadership pieces that illuminate the complexities of employment law.