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Wages up, Employment Down Unexpected drop of teen workers despite the minimum wage increase in January. By Derikka McClain-Small
Multiple studies have found that the increase in minimum wage leads to higher unemployment for teens. Due to older workers' lack of income or not, wanting to hire teens with a lack of education in the workplace causes them to not be eligible for the job. Recently, an increase of $10.30 an hour to $11.15 an hour, effective Jan. 1, brings the goal of increasing the minimum wage by 85 cents to $12.00 an hour by Jan. 2023, a step closer. “This is currently my third job. I was unemployed for about three months trying to get this job because the paperwork and processing took a very long time period." Sophomore Makhia Jones said. "I did not change jobs due to any personal reasons, I just wanted a higher pay.
Senior Lliani Cassiraghi works at Red Racks Thrift Store on Mar. 28. Photo by Derikka McClain-Small.
I don’t think pay has changed me, but I think I’m more motivated to go to work knowing I am getting paid well for what I do.” Increasing the minimum wage has caused some businesses to lay off employees and, as a result, raised unemployment levels. Increasing the minimum wage does not only affect those earning it, it also affects those who were already earning more than the minimum.
With higher minimum wages comes a reduction in employee income costs and a decrease in worker capacity. Low-wage employers, particularly in the restaurant
industry, also have minimum wage costs through small price increases in restaurants. “When looking for jobs, I found it hard to find one with the ability to work around my personal life, like school and multiple after school activities. Still, having to work those days felt like forever. Then when getting my check, seeing I worked 9 hours and am not feeling like I’m getting paid what I feel I should, getting paid almost 150 weekly. After changing my jobs, I see my new jobs pay $15.30 an hour, which helps me with my busy schedule so I can pick and choose what days’ work best for me.” Senior Daeriashia Mercer said.
