Note: In this chapter and in all succeeding work throughout the course, unless instructed otherwise, calculate hourly rates and overtime rates as follows: 1. Carry the hourly rate and the overtime rate to 3 decimal places and then round off to 2 decimal places (round the hourly rate to 2 decimal places before multiplying by one and one-half to determine the over-time rate). 2. If the third decimal place is 5 or more, round to the next higher cent. 3. If the third decimal place is less than 5, simply drop the third decimal place. Examples: Monthly rate $1,827 Weekly rate ($1,827 × 12)/52 = $421.615 rounded to $421.62 Hourly rate $421.62/40 = $10.540 rounded to $10.54 O.T. rate $10.54 × 1.5 = $15.81 Also, use the minimum hourly wage of $7.25 in solving these problems and all that follow. Paying Less Than the Minimum Wage Under certain conditions, wages lower than the minimum wage may be paid to some employees. A training wage allows employers to pay $4.25 per hour to newly hired employees under 20 years of age (opportunity wage). This only applies to the first 90 consecutive calendar days of employment. Retail or service establishments and farms may employ full-time students at 85 percent of the minimum wage ($6.1625 per hour, government rounds to $6.17 in favor of the employee). Institutions of higher education may employ their own full-time students at 85 percent of the minimum wage. Student-learners may be employed at 75 percent of the minimum wage if they are participating in a bona fide vocational training program conducted by an accredited school ($5.44 per hour). Firms whose principal business is the delivery of letters and messages may employ messengers at not less than 95 percent of the minimum wage. Persons whose earning capacity is impaired by age, physical or mental deficiency, or injury may be employed at special minimum wage rates. However, a certificate authorizing employment at such rates must first be obtained. Carson Beck works at the local Worst Buy Shop. As a full-time student at the local university, he is being paid an hourly rate of $5.70 an hour. One week, Beck worked 35 hours. Round your answers to the nearest cent. a. Beck’s earnings for the week are $ b. Is the hourly rate in violation of the FLSA? Yes c. If the hourly rate is in violation of the FLSA, what is the amount the shop should pay Beck for the week? When computing the per hour rate, use the government’s rounding rule in your calculation. $
Expert Answer
a. Beck’s earnings for the week;
Formula to calculate earnings = (Hours x rate)
So earnings (35 x $5.70) = $199.5
b. Is the hourly rate in violation of the FLSA?
Yes, the hourly rate in violation of the FLSA. Because minimum wage hour rate for retail or service establishments and farms that employ full-time students should pay at 85 percent of the minimum wage.
c. What is the amount the shop should pay Beck for the week?
As per rule, retail or service establishments and farms may employ full-time students at 85 percent of the minimum wage that is ($7.25 x 85/100) = $6.1625 per hour, but government rounds to $6.17 per hour in favor of the employee.
Thus amount should be paid (35 hours x $6.17) = $215.95
If Beck has been paid already with a rate of $5.70 per hour then difference will be additionally paid to him that is $215.95 – (35 hours x $5.70) = $16.45