Just read that that the min wage in Kansas is $2.65 hr?

[Sugarcoated]

And their work week is 46 hrs?? Isn't the reason we have a national min. wage so this kind of shit wouldn't happen? Am I misunderstanding this?

[Ghost in the Machine]

1. was it possibly the minimum wage for waitresses?

My sister and my aunt are waitresses.. they make $2.13/hr plus tips....

[Broken_Hero]

2. yeah, thats what i'm thinking

also...I believe Missouris min wage for waitresses and what not, are about the same pay scale...they get $ from their tips as well.

on edit: thats why i always try to tip good...unless the waitress/waiter is ...unpleasant...

[Sugarcoated]

3. I double checked the site

Apparently it's the only state with a lower minimum wage than the national rate. What's the point of having a national minimum wage if states don't have to honor it?

http://www.dol.gov/esa/minwage/america.htm#Kansas

[Viva_La_Revolution]

5. they do, see #4

:)

[Viva_La_Revolution]

4. yep, they've never changed it

The State law excludes from coverage any employment that is subject to the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act.

Where Federal and state law have different minimum wage rates, the higher standard applies.

Synopsis of Law
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) establishes minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and child labor standards affecting full-time and part-time workers in the private sector and in Federal, State, and local governments. Covered nonexempt workers are entitled to a minimum wage of not less than $5.15 an hour. Overtime pay at a rate of not less than one and one-half times their regular rates of pay is required after 40 hours of work in a workweek.

[Sugarcoated]

8. I don't understand

Most employees in Kansas are required to get paid $5.15? Who's getting the lower rate?

[Viva_La_Revolution]

9. employers have to pay the higher of the two rates.

The Fed. higher rate trumps the lower state rate.
Just as in OR, our higher min. wage ($7.50) trumps the lower US min. wage.

in some states, occupations like waitressing or bartending (where aver. tips are figured in) get lower wages, but when I worked in CO 15 years ago as a waitress, I got min. wage.

[conflictgirl]

6. Several states have NO minimum wage law!

They are Arizona, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, S. Carolina and Tennessee.

As far as I know, most states allow sub-minimum wages for tipped employees. Waitpersons make somewhere in the $2/hr range in many states.

[SensibleAmerican]

7. Some states haven't changed their minimum wage law

n/t

[dipsydoodle]

10. Minimum wages should be minimum wages

if covered national by law. Only variations maybe those related to age i.e. youngsters. But - in the UK even the 16 year old rate equates to $5.40 / hour with a 10% increase due 10th Oct this year.

UK details here :

http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?r.l3=1074402393&r.l2=1073876962&r.l1=1073858787&r.s=m&type=RESOURCES&itemId=1074403799

All clearly laid out and it's illegal for employers to ignore the law - see the section covering Workers' rights. No - waitresses do not get less.