As we have previously reported, employers operating in Florida should be aware that the state?s minimum wage rate increased from $6.67 per hour to $6.79 per hour, effective January 1, 2008. The new wage rate for tipped employees (whose employers use the tip credit as permitted by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act) is $3.02 per hour, again effective January 1, 2008. This increase is in accordance with Article X, Section 24, Constitution of the State of Florida, which requires the state Agency for Workforce Innovation to adjust the Florida minimum wage rate annually in accordance with the federal consumer price index.

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