Summer's approach has sparked renewed interest in the
federal Fair Labor Standards Act's provision authorizing a
less-than-$7.25 wage rate for certain younger employees in
particular circumstances.
While there is such an exception, it is limited in
significant ways.
How It Works
The FLSA's Section 6(g) allows an employer to pay a
worker who is under 20 years old at a rate of at least $4.25 an
hour for the first 90 consecutive calendar days after the
worker's initial employment by that employer. Of course, the
employer may choose to compensate the worker at a higher
wage rate between $4.25 an hour and $7.25 an hour.
The U.S. Department of Labor says that the 90-day period begins
to run when the employee starts work – not when the
employee was made an offer or accepted the job or is otherwise
considered to be "hired" – and it includes the
first day of work. This timeframe is counted in calendar
days – not working days; it continues to run regardless
of the
