1. What is the current minimum wage for tipped workers in Oregon?

According to the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries, the current minimum wage for tipped workers in Oregon is $12.75 per hour as of July 1, 2021.

2. How does this compare to the minimum wage for non-tipped workers?
The minimum wage for non-tipped workers in Oregon is currently $12.75 per hour, which is the same as the minimum wage for tipped workers. However, there are certain exceptions and exemptions that may apply for specific industries or types of workers. For example, employees who work on a farm that employs fewer than six people may be paid 75% of the established minimum wage rate, while full-time students working in a qualified business may be paid 85% of the established minimum wage rate. These exceptions are outlined by the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries and should be taken into consideration when comparing wages for different types of workers in Oregon.

3. Is there a proposal to change the minimum wage for tipped workers in Oregon?
There are currently no proposed changes to the minimum wage for tipped workers in Oregon. However, under Measure 23-005 – Initiative Petition 15 (IP-15), the state’s hourly minimum wage would gradually increase over time until it reaches $18 per hour by 2024. This would affect both tipped and non-tipped workers.

Additionally, some cities in Oregon have already implemented higher local minimum wages above the state’s standard rate, such as Portland with its current scheduled increase to $14 per hour by 2022.

4. Are employers required to make up any difference if a tipped worker does not earn enough tips to meet the standard minimum wage?
Yes, under federal law, if an employee’s tips combined with their base pay do not equal at least the federal or state minimum hourly wage (whichever is higher), then their employer must make up that difference through additional pay.

In addition, there are specific situations in which employers in Oregon are required to pay tipped employees the full state minimum wage, regardless of their tips. This includes when an employee spends more than 20% of their time performing non-tipped work, or if they are not correctly notified by their employer that they will be paid through a combination of tips and a cash wage.

It is important for employers to ensure they are accurately and fairly compensating their tipped workers to meet these legal requirements.

2. Is there a difference between the tipped minimum wage and regular minimum wage in Oregon?

Yes, there is a difference between the tipped minimum wage and regular minimum wage in Oregon.

The current regular minimum wage in Oregon is $12 per hour, and will increase annually until it reaches $14.75 in 2023. This applies to most workers in non-farm, non-salary positions.

However, for workers who regularly receive more than $30 per month in tips, the tipped minimum wage is lower. The current tipped minimum wage in Oregon is $12 per hour or 60% of the regular minimum wage, whichever is higher. This means that currently, the tipped minimum wage in Oregon is the same as the regular minimum wage of $12 per hour.

By 2023, when the regular minimum wage reaches $14.75 per hour, the tipped minimum wage will be $13.05 (60% of $14.75). If an employee’s tips do not bring them up to at least the full regular minimum wage of $14.75 per hour, their employer must make up the difference.

It’s worth noting that some states do not have a separate tipped minimum wage and instead require all workers to be paid at least the full regular minimum wage regardless of tips received. However, Oregon does have this distinction between tip-receiving and non-tip-receiving employees when it comes to calculating required wages.

3. How much do tipped workers make per hour in Oregon?

As of 2021, the minimum wage for tipped workers in Oregon is $11.75 per hour. However, employers are required to make up the difference if an employee’s tips do not bring their total earnings to at least $12.00 per hour.

4. Has the minimum wage for tipped employees increased in Oregon recently?

As of 2021, the minimum wage for tipped employees in Oregon is $12.75 per hour. This rate has not increased recently, as it has remained at this level since July 2020. Prior to that, the minimum wage for tipped employees had been $10.75 per hour since July 2018.

5. Are there any pending changes to the tipped minimum wage in Oregon?

As of 2021, there are no pending changes to the tipped minimum wage in Oregon. The current tipped minimum wage for non-urban counties is $11.50 per hour and for urban counties is $12.75 per hour. These rates are scheduled to increase annually until 2025 when it will reach $14.75 per hour for all counties. However, the state legislature may introduce new legislation to change these rates in the future.

6. Can a tipped worker afford a living wage in Oregon?

7. How do labor laws protect tipped workers in Oregon?
8. Are there any efforts being made to increase wages for tipped workers in Oregon?
9. What are the minimum wage requirements for tipped workers in Oregon?
10. How does the cost of living in Oregon affect the wages of tipped workers?

7. How does Oregon’s minimum wage for tipped employees compare to neighboring states?

As of 2021, Oregon’s minimum wage for tipped employees is $12.75 per hour, which is higher than the minimum wage for tipped employees in all of its neighboring states.

In Washington, the minimum wage for tipped employees is $13.69 per hour. In California, it is $13.34 per hour. In Nevada, it is $8.75 per hour or $9.23 with health benefits provided by the employer. And in Idaho, the minimum wage for tipped employees is $3.35 per hour plus tips.

However, it should be noted that in Oregon, employers are not allowed to take a tip credit and therefore must pay their tipped employees at least the full minimum wage rate of $12.75 per hour before tips.

Comparing these federal neighboring states’ minimum wages to Oregon’s overall minimum wage rate (which applies to non-tipped employees), Oregon’s minimum wage ranks as fourth highest behind Washington ($13.69), California ($14), and Nevada (currently $10 for employers who do not provide health benefits). However, Oregon’s overall minimum wage will increase to match California’s over several years through legislation passed by the state legislature in 2016.

8. Are employers required to make up the difference if a tipped worker’s wages fall below the standard minimum wage in Oregon?

Yes, employers in Oregon are required to make up the difference if a tipped worker’s wages fall below the standard minimum wage. This is known as the “tip credit” rule and essentially states that if an employee does not make enough in tips to meet the minimum wage, the employer must pay them additional wages to make up the difference. In Oregon, tipped workers must still receive at least $11.25 per hour (as of July 2021), even if they earn less than this amount in tips. Employers who fail to comply with this rule may face penalties and fines from the state labor agency.

9. Do cities within Oregon have their own separate tipped minimum wage rates or is it consistent throughout the state?

Under Oregon state law, cities do not have the authority to set their own separate tipped minimum wage rates. The statewide minimum wage rate, which includes a standard and tipped option, applies to all workers in the state regardless of location.

10. Has there been any discussion of increasing the minimum wage for tipped employees in Oregon?

Yes, there has been ongoing discussion about increasing the minimum wage for tipped employees in Oregon. In 2016, voters approved Measure 56, which gradually increases the minimum wage for all workers in Oregon and sets a separate minimum wage for tipped employees. However, some groups are advocating for further increases in the tipped minimum wage or for eliminating the tip credit system altogether. These discussions have not yet resulted in any changes to the current minimum wage laws for tipped employees in Oregon.

11. Does Oregon have a different minimum wage for servers versus other types of tipped workers?

Yes, Oregon has different minimum wages for servers and other tipped workers. The current minimum wage for servers is $12.75 per hour, while the minimum wage for other tipped workers is $11.50 per hour. This difference is due to the fact that servers are able to earn tips as part of their compensation, so their hourly rate can be lower than other types of tipped workers who do not typically receive tips.

12. How does Oregon’s current tipped employee minimum wage compare to federal standards and neighboring states’ rates?

Oregon’s current tipped employee minimum wage is $9.75 per hour, which is higher than the federal tipped employee minimum wage of $2.13 per hour. It is also higher than the tipped employee minimum wage in neighboring states such as Washington and California, which are $12.00 and $11.00 per hour respectively.

13. In Oregon, are employers allowed to use tips towards fulfilling their obligation to pay the standard minimum wage for employees?

No, under Oregon law, employers are not allowed to use tips as a credit towards fulfilling their obligation to pay the standard minimum wage for employees. Tips must be in addition to the minimum wage paid by the employer.

14. Is there a plan to increase the tip credit percentage in Oregon, which currently has one of the lowest rates nationwide?

There is currently no specific plan to increase the tip credit percentage in Oregon. However, the state’s minimum wage law does allow for a tip credit of up to $3.75 per hour, which is higher than the federal tip credit rate of $2.13 per hour. The Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries regularly reviews and adjusts the minimum wage and tip credit rates based on economic factors, so it is possible that the tip credit percentage could be increased in the future if deemed necessary.

15. Are there exemptions from paying the state’s established tip credit rate for certain industries or professions in Oregon?

Yes, there are some industries and professions in Oregon that are exempt from the state’s established tip credit rate. These include certain amusement and recreation establishments, as well as taxicab and limousine companies. Additionally, employees who provide personal services such as barbering or beauty salon services are not subject to the tip credit.

16. Can legislators override local laws regarding the establishment of a separate tipped worker minimum wage rate in [State?

Yes, legislators in [State] have the power to override local laws regarding the establishment of a separate tipped worker minimum wage rate. This is because [State]’s Constitution grants state laws precedence over local laws. Therefore, if the state legislature passes a law that sets a statewide tipped worker minimum wage rate, it would supersede any local laws on the issue.

17. Has Oregon recently adjusted its tip pooling laws affecting server wages?

Yes, as of January 1, 2020, Oregon has updated its tip pooling laws. Under the new law, employers are prohibited from requiring tipped employees to share tips with non-tipped employees or with owners, managers, or supervisors. Tipped employees also have the right to keep all of their tips and can only be required to participate in a valid tip pool that is evenly distributed among all tipped employees who regularly and customarily receive tips. Employers must provide written notice to their employees about any tip pools in place and keep records of all tips received and distributed. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in penalties for employers.

18. How do Oregon’s current hourly wages for non-tipped workers compare with those applied specifically to restaurant personnel?

According to the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries, the current minimum wage for non-tipped workers in Oregon is $12.00 per hour. This applies to all industries, including restaurants.

However, for tipped workers in Oregon, the minimum wage is lower at $9.25 per hour as long as their tips bring their total hourly earnings up to or above the state’s regular minimum wage of $12.00 per hour. If a tipped worker’s tips do not meet this threshold, employers are required to pay them the regular minimum wage of $12.00 per hour.

Overall, this means that Oregon’s current hourly wages for non-tipped workers are higher than those specifically applied to restaurant personnel (assuming they are receiving enough tips to reach the regular minimum wage).

19. In Oregon, are separate restaurants and other establishments categorized differently with regards to applying differing hourly rates for employees who receive tips?

Yes, under Oregon law, restaurants and other establishments are categorized differently for the purpose of minimum wage and tip credit. The state follows the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) guidelines for determining whether a business qualifies as a tipped employer. Tipped employers are those that can take a tip credit against the minimum wage.

Under FLSA, there is no distinction made between different types of businesses when it comes to applying tips towards minimum wage. However, some states, including Oregon, have specific laws that apply differently depending on the type of business.

In Oregon, employees who work in service establishments (such as restaurants and bars) and receive tips may be paid a lower hourly rate than the state’s standard minimum wage. This is known as a “tip credit,” where an employer can pay employees less than the state minimum wage if their tips bring their total hourly compensation up to at least the state or federal minimum wage (whichever is higher).

For example, in 2020,the state’s standard minimum wage was $11.25 per hour, while the tipped employee minimum wage was $10.75 per hour. This means that employers could pay tipped employees at least $10.75 per hour but could count up to $0.50 per hour of tips towards meeting the state’s standard minimum wage requirements.

It’s important to note that not all businesses qualify for this tip credit in Oregon. Only certain employers, such as those with fewer than 500 employees, can take advantage of this provision.

Additionally, non-service-related establishments (such as car washes or dry cleaners) are not subject to these tip credit laws and must pay their employees at least the state’s standard minimum wage rate at all times.

Overall, while restaurants and other service establishments are categorized differently for the purpose of applying tips towards wages in Oregon, whether or not an employer can take advantage of this provision depends on their specific circumstances and eligibility.

20 Where can I access (or has anyone correlated) information about how each of the US states and territories have approached minimum wage laws for tipped workers?

You can access information about minimum wage laws for tipped workers in each US state and territory through the US Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division website. They have a section specifically dedicated to Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) minimum wage laws for tipped employees, which includes a list of state-specific minimum wage rates and any variations or exceptions that apply to tipped workers.

Additionally, the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) has a comprehensive database that compares state minimum wage laws, including those for tipped workers. You can search by state or view all states at once to see how they approach minimum wage for tipped employees.

Other resources that may be helpful in determining differing approaches to minimum wage laws for tipped workers among states include government websites for each individual state’s labor department or workforce agency, as well as independent research organizations such as the Economic Policy Institute or National Employment Law Project.

It is important to note that while these resources provide valuable information on current minimum wage laws, they may not capture recently passed legislation or pending legislation that may impact tipped worker wages. It may also be useful to consult with a local lawyer or advocacy organization for more specific and up-to-date information.