Missouri House Bill HB1765

Missouri 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/5/22
• Refer: 5/13/22

Caption

Provides for an alternate lower minimum wage for "probationary employees"

Impact

If enacted, HB 1765 would alter existing state minimum wage laws by creating a tiered wage system based on employment status. This could potentially lower initial wages for new hires, affecting the income of probationary employees during their early days of employment. As such, the bill might have broader implications on labor relations within the state, as it diverges from a standard minimum wage approach and introduces differential treatment based on employment duration.

Summary

House Bill 1765 aims to establish an alternate lower minimum wage specifically for "probationary employees". The bill proposes that employers may pay these employees at a rate that is up to one dollar per hour lower than the standard minimum wage, which is set to gradually increase to $12.00 per hour by 2023 for regular wage earners. This provision is influenced by an intention to provide employers with flexibility during the initial employment phase of new workers, presumably as a way to encourage hiring in a more competitive job market.

Contention

The proposal of implementing a lower minimum wage for probationary employees has sparked debate among stakeholders. Supporters argue that it provides a necessary incentive for employers to take on new staff during uncertain economic periods, thereby lowering obstacles to employment. Conversely, critics contend that this bill risks undermining the labor market by creating a wage disparity that could disadvantage these new employees in comparison to their more tenured counterparts, thus complicating wage fairness and equity considerations in the workplace.