Which employees may be paid a lower minimum wage during their first 90 consecutive days of employment?

Employees under 20 may be paid a lower minimum wage during their first 90 consecutive days of employment due to provisions established by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). This provision allows employers to pay a training wage, which is lower than the standard minimum wage, to younger workers as an incentive to help them gain essential skills and work experience. The intent behind this regulation is to encourage the hiring of young individuals entering the workforce, providing them an opportunity to transition from their schooling into full-time employment.

This reduced wage is specifically designed for young employees to foster their development and integration into the job environment while ensuring that they are not indefinitely paid less than the usual minimum wage. After the 90-day training period, these employees must be paid at least the standard minimum wage.

Part-time employees, interns, and seasonal workers do not inherently fall under the same provisions regarding a lower minimum wage during their initial work period. Their pay scales are determined by specific employer policies, labor contracts, or different legal statutes but are not generally afforded the same training wage considerations as employees under 20.