As discussed in greater detail here, the New York State Department of Labor’s revised Wage Orders, which were published in the administrative record on October 9, 2013 and set to become final by the time New York’s December 31 minimum wage hike becomes effective, implement a number of changes to the pay requirements and credits available under state law.

Amongst these are provisions modifying the available tip credits.  While the minimum wage that must be paid to most Hospitality industry employees will remain at its current level of $5.00/hour (with only the overtime rate increasing due to the increased tip credit), employers who avail themselves of the tip credit provision under the Miscellaneous Wage Order—such as car washes and salons to use two common industry examples— must recognize that the maximum tip credit has been set at $1.95/hour, resulting in a revised minimum wage for tipped employees of at least $6.05, an increase of fifty-five cents above the current level.

Affected businesses regulated by the Miscellaneous Wage Order with employees for whom a tip allowance is taken must prepare for this scheduled increase in labor costs.