A new year means a new minimum wage in New York and the Governor wants to make sure everyone is getting the money they deserve.

Governor Cuomo created a 200-member multi-agency Minimum Wage Enforcement and Outreach Unit to ensure all minimum wage workers are paid the proper rate.

Landmark legislation was signed last year, making New York the first state in the nation to enact a $15 minimum wage. On December 31, 2016, the first phase-in schedule for the minimum wage increase went into effect.

"With the first increase in the minimum wage now in effect, this new enforcement unit will ensure workers are being paid what they earned, and employers who flaunt the law will be held accountable."

If you aren't being paid the new minimum wage, you're encouraged to call the hotline at 1-888-4-NYSDOL. You can also see how much you should be paid at ny.gov/MyWage.

The $15 minimum wage will be phased in over time depending on where you work and who you work for.

$15 Minimum Wage Phase-in:

For workers in New York City employed by large businesses (those with at least 11 employees), the minimum wage will rise to $11 at the end of 2016, then another $2 each year after, reaching $15 on 12/31/2018.

For workers in New York City employed by small businesses (those with 10 employees or fewer), the minimum wage will rise to $10.50 by the end of 2016, then another $1.50 each year after, reaching $15 on 12/31/2019.

For workers in Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester Counties, the minimum wage will increase to $10 at the end of 2016, then $1 each year after, reaching $15 on 12/31/2021.

For workers in the rest of the state, the minimum wage will increase to $9.70 at the end of 2016, then another .70 each year after until reaching $12.50 on 12/31/2020 – after which the minimum wage will continue to increase to $15 on an indexed schedule to be set by the Director of the Division of Budget in consultation with the Department of Labor.

Read more on the Minimum Wage Enforcement Unit at Governor.ny.gov.


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