On July 24, 2009, the Federal Minimum Wage took its last step in its three step increase this time from $6.55 per hour to $7.25 per hour.  There is no change in the applicable Minnesota or Wisconsin rates.  In Minnesota, the rate is $6.15 for employers with annual receipts at $625,000 or more and $5.25 for smaller employers.  In Wisconsin, the basic rate is $6.50 per hour.  It is my understanding that President Obama has already proposed an increase of $2.00 over the next several years.

TIP OF THE MONTH: A reader has asked whether or not there is some way to avoid actual payment of overtime if you have two week payrolls, if in week one the employee works 42 hours and then in week two you will have to reduce their hours by 1 ½ times the overtime, or three hours, and have them work only 37 hours.  This is allowable under current Federal Labor Standards Act provisions with the same pay period. (FLSA). 

Hanft Fride's business and trial lawyers are located at 1000 U.S. Bank Place, in Duluth, Minnesota. Visit our website at www.hanftlaw.com <http://www.hanftlaw.com/> . In addition to general information on the firm and our attorneys, you can find past issues of this newsletter. Keep checking back for new information, and let us know if there is anything you would like to see added to the site that would help you and your organization.  Our employment lawyers include Tom Torgerson, Rob Merritt, Scott Witty and Richard Burns.

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