Intro to Florida Labor Laws

Effective September 30, 2024, the Florida minimum wage will increase to $13.00 per hour. Florida’s minimum wage will increase by $1.00 each year on September 30 until the minimum wage reaches $15.00 per hour in 2026.

Effective September 30, 2023, the Florida minimum wage will increase to $12.00 per hour. Florida’s minimum wage will increase by $1.00 each year on September 30 until the minimum wage reaches $15.00 per hour in 2026.

In May, Florida passed an amendment prohibiting businesses and employers from implementing COVID-19 mandates regarding vaccines, vaccination status, masking, and testing for any individuals. Employers are prohibited from imposing COVID-19-related restrictions in making employment decisions such as hiring, firing, and other job-related adverse actions for job applicants or employees. Employers should review and update their current policies to meet the state’s new requirements.

On March 4, 2024, Florida's Stop-WOKE law, also referred to as the Individual Freedom Act (IFA), which previously restricted employers from mandating discussions or training on topics such as racial or gender issues, was declared unconstitutional for infringing on protected speech. Consequently, employers in Florida are no longer able to enforce the IFA's limitations on training discussions concerning these subjects. Employers are encouraged to consult with legal counsel to discuss revising their policies and training materials to align with this legal development.

Florida will require private employers with 25 or more employees in the state to utilize E-Verify when individuals begin employment, beginning this July. E-Verify is a federal system that allows employers to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the US. While using E-Verify is generally voluntary for private companies, it is not optional in certain states, in the public sector, and for federal contractors and subcontractors. This new requirement does not replace, but is in addition to, existing federal Form I-9 employment eligibility verification requirements. Businesses with less than 25 employees can continue to use the Form I-9 to verify employment eligibility or choose to take the additional step of using E-Verify.

Effective September 30, 2022, the minimum hourly wage in Florida will increase to $11.00 an hour. The Florida minimum wage will increase $1.00 every year until the minimum wage reaches $15.00 an hour in 2026.