New Minimum Wage and incentive pay

[CarrieT]

What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state? Oregon

I have a question. My teenage son works at a fast food restaurant. He makes minimum wage. He was told that WHEN he trained on and became 'signed off' on registers, he would receive a 25¢ / hour increase. So he completed training successfully just a week ago.
However, at the beginning of the year, minimum wage increased 25¢ / hour. When he received his latest paycheck it did not reflect the incentive wage increase, but did reflect the new minimum wage increase. But when he asked about the wage increase for registers, he was told that BECAUSE minimum wage increased, they would not be paying him the incentive pay. To me this doesnt seem 'right', as all the other employees received that incentive pay when they became signed off on the register, and it is not his fault that minimum wage increased. Could someone please let me know what the law would be with regards this?
Thank you
Carrie

 

[Some Random Guy]

I am assuming that there is no written document specifying the increase or pay rate based on this training?

When looking at fairness, the question is whether the other cashiers had their pay increased to 25 cents above min wage in the last paycheck.

When looking at the law, he is being paid a legal wage. He can keep working there or leave.

 

[CarrieT]

I am assuming that there is no written document specifying the increase or pay rate based on this training? .

No, as far as I know it wasnt written on the employment papers, but it was told him by his supervisor.

When looking at fairness, the question is whether the other cashiers had their pay increased to 25 cents above min wage in the last paycheck..

That we dont know as my son didnt ask any of the other cashiers. However Im sure he can find out when he next goes to work.

When looking at the law, he is being paid a legal wage. He can keep working there or leave.

Yes, I understand he is being paid a legal wage. My question, however, is IF everyone else was given the incentive increase, then is it legally permissable for his employer to decide to NOT give that same increase to him?

And yes, I agree he can either keep working there or leave. He chooses to keep working there, but I choose to find out the law. NOT for him to fight, but to keep note of, as if other 'things' crop up, then this might not be the right place for him to work. This is his first true job, and he is my eldest, so we are both learning as we go and I want his first job to be a positive experience so he enjoys what he does.

Thank you for your help with this

Carrie

 

[justalayman]

]Quote:
Originally Posted by Some Random Guy
When looking at the law, he is being paid a legal wage. He can keep working there or leave.


Yes, I understand he is being paid a legal wage. My question, however, is IF everyone else was given the incentive increase, then is it legally permissable for his employer to decide to NOT give that same increase to him

Yes it is legal. Maybe not fair, but legal. There are no requiements as far as them giving him a raise. It just sounds like the timing bit him.

 

[CarrieT]

Yes it is legal. Maybe not fair, but legal. There are no requiements as far as them giving him a raise. It just sounds like the timing bit him.

Ah ok
Well... not everything in life is 'fair' .. so Ill put this one down to 'oh well' and not worry about it further
Thank you for your insight
Carrie