2017 is just around the corner. Are you ready for the new year? If not, you still have a few days left to prepare so don’t panic just yet.
For the HR and employment staffing industries, a new year often brings new rules and regulations – either handed down at the state level or issued on a federal level. Depending on the industry, one of the biggest changes that can take effect as a new year begins is a minimum wage increase. In the state of Connecticut, the minimum wage will increase to $10.10 per hour on January 1, 2017.
Some interesting stats about minimum wage over the decades:
- The first minimum wage in the U.S. was introduced in 1938 by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. It was included as part of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Minimum wage was set at 25 cents per hour.
- Since the first federal minimum wage was introduced by Roosevelt, it has been increased 22 times by 12 different presidents. The last time minimum wage was increased was in 2009 by President Obama. It was raised to $7.25 per hour and remains there today.
- Pew Research states that 29 states plus the District of Columbia and about two dozen cities and counties have set their own higher minimum wages.
- On January 1st, CT minimum wage will have increased $1.40 per hour since 2014. Here’s the history – $8.70 (2014); $9.15 (2015); $9.60 (2016); and $10.10 (2017).
Also happening January 1st in the state of Connecticut – The Fair Chance Employment Law goes into effect. The CT Dept of Labor states this law prevents employers from requiring employees and prospective employees to disclose any criminal history on initial employment applications. Exceptions – if an employer is required to do so under applicable state or federal laws, or the position being applied to requires a security or fidelity bond, or equivalent.
From all of us at A.R. Mazzotta, we wish you a Happy New Year and look forward to sharing more helpful employment and staffing news and insights with you in 2017!