Minimum Wage Bill Vetoed to Give Small Business Owners Time to Adjust

 Posted on September 14,2017 in Employment Law

Several employment law changes have occurred over the last couple of years; a minimum wage hike, which would have raised the pay to $15 an hour by 2022, was expected to be yet another. However, after passing in the state House and Senate, both with majority votes, it was vetoed at the last minute by Governor Bruce Rauner. The following explains why it was vetoed, and it provides some details on finding employment law assistance for your small business.

Why the Bill Was Vetoed

Although the minimum wage bill pulled a great deal of support from employees and government officials alike, Governor Rauner chose to veto it because it could have placed unnecessary stress on small businesses. Supporters of the bill argue otherwise, but a study on the minimum wage increase in Seattle found that workers suffered from the changes.

Rather than improve circumstances for low-wage employees, the report found that many businesses struggled to accommodate the wage increase. As such, employees became subject to widespread layoffs, and companies underwent hiring freezes. There were also cases in which full-time employees had their hours cut because companies could no longer pay them for full-time work. Companies also suffered because of inadequate staffing.

Businesses May Still Need Assistance

Rauner may have stepped in to help businesses this time, but there have been several other employment law changes over the last couple of years. For example, employers are now required to give employees more sick leave time, which may place unnecessary stress on the company. To mitigate against this issue, as well as others that may arise from the recent law changes in Illinois, small businesses are encouraged to seek legal assistance.

It should also be noted that minimum wage increases may still occur in the future. Governor Rauner has already expressed approval of a more moderate increase, and he may pass one if it comes across his desk. Wage increases also still have massive support from employment advocacy groups, labor unions, and employees. As such, companies may wish to prepare for potential wage increases ahead of time, which can help them stay ahead of the curve.

Contact Our DuPage County Business Law Attorneys

At Stock, Carlson & Asso. LLC, we understand the challenges that small businesses face. Dedicated and experienced, we can assist your company with legal employment-related matters. At every turn, we protect your company's financial future. Learn more by scheduling a personalized consultation with our DuPage County business law attorneys. Call 630-665-2500.

Source:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-rauner-minimum-wage-deadline-0826-biz-20170825-story.html