$15.00 Minimum Wage – It’s Time to Take Drastic Measures

The title’s a little dramatic but I wanted to get your attention. 

President Joe Biden addressed the American people two weeks ago and outlined the beginning of his initial priorities as he takes office.  One of the key issues is the federal minimum wage – the proposal is to increase to $15.00 per hour.  While this is not a new idea (President Obama began talks of a $15.00 minimum wage during his time in office), it was certainly a frequent topic of conversation during campaign season. 

When people hear a proposal of $15.00 per hour as the federal minimum wage, there are mixed reactions. 

My husband and I owned a coffee shop & bakery during the Obama administration.  I can tell you that my reaction to a $15 minimum wage at that time was not positive.  We had 5 part time employees and were barely holding on.  Having to increase pay so dramatically would have led us to make very difficult decisions with regards to staffing and pricing.  It very well may have been the end of our business.  Since the Biden address, I have seen similar reactions on social media from small business owners and those who work in the non-profit and public sectors. 

Fast forward to 2021 and I have a different perspective. 

Desperate times call for desperate measures.  And we are in desperate times.  I 100% agree with Joe Biden when he says that no children in this country should be going hungry and no person working 40 hours per week should be living below poverty.  It’s just not acceptable in the richest nation in the world.  And so, it’s time…time to make significant changes to solve our country’s biggest problems. 

The reality is that we had these problems prior to the pandemic; they’ve now been exacerbated. 

We have to get creative.  It’s time to share.  We have to take care of our people.  Some may call it socialism; I call it humanity. 

Think about it – school busses sponsored by Amazon?  Betty’s Pizza funded by the Dallas Cowboys?  A community service time-sharing project that allows students to give time in exchange for tuition?  The possibilities are endless. 

A $15 minimum wage does require a leveling of the playing field.  Small business (I’m talking about 100 employees or less) has to focus on cash flow.  Cash is king and must be protected.  At the same time, they have to be able to offer a competitive wage to avoid losing all employees to bigger businesses.  These businesses need more help in being able to preserve cash – maybe a relief from taxes until a minimum profit margin is achieved.  Larger businesses should also be able to provide funding without harsh repercussions. 

For many years, I identified as a tight-knit conservative.  Then I became more middle-of-the-road in my views, a moderate Republican.  At 41, I now find myself caring more about the circumstances of others than myself than ever before.  I’m just an American and I want our country to be the best it can be for all people. 

These are the same reasons that led me to HR.  I want the workplace to be the best it can be for everyone.  For those HR pros working in small business – get ready.  Change is coming.  You’ll have to assist your organization to navigate things like a $15 minimum wage.  It can be done, and it has to be done. 

While it’s overwhelming to think about change for the country as a whole, let’s focus on our individual pieces of the world.  What can be done in your own backyard?  I have a friend who is single handedly organizing community food orders to local restaurants and eateries.  No chains, just small business.  She oversees orders for her neighborhood several times each week while managing a husband, two kids, and a full-time job.  She has turned her passion for ‘eat local’ into real action that is making a difference.  And she’s just one person. 

So, what can we do?  What can you do?  What can I do?  One thing I know for sure – we all have to do something.  We can’t just sit back idly and watch.  We have to get involved.