Legal Question in Business Law in Florida

Re: cuting employees wage

Florida is a state that favors employers - called an "at will" state, which means unless the employer has an employment agreement with the employee, then there is no requirement by the employer to pay a worker a certain wage, or retain that worker.

However, there are certain circumstances that you as the employer would be subject to a potential lawsuit if you discriminated against a worker because of their age, race, ethnicity, sex, etc.

Based on the circumstances you have provided, it sounds like you are making a decision simply based on the worker's ability to work and not discriminating against the worker. As a result, you can cut down the wages, shorten the hours, etc. without litigation.

Best of luck.

Sincerely,

George Savage

Re: cuting employees wage

Dear Employer:

Our firm represents Employers in workers compensation cases all over the State of Florida. We are hired by the Insurance Carrier to defend claims against employers by injured workers. In this case, if your employee is on Light Duty, and not earning the amount she was earning prior to her industrial accident, she will be entitled to Temporary Partial indemnity benefits, if you cut the pay. Either way, once this employee hires an attorney to represent her, the case will be in litigation, and they will most likely file a Petition For Benefits for additional claims and medical attention. I would be happy to discuss this further, if you are not currently represented by defense counsel. Our phone number is (239) 334-4121. We are located in S.W. Florida.

L. Anton

Re: cuting employees wage

You may reduce her wage but not below the minimum wage. Also, you must pay overtime wages where required.