FL Employment Law Updates in 2025

Written By Kersten Collins

Take Action Now:

  1. Prepare for Minimum Wage Increase: Currently in FL, non-tipped employees must be paid $13.00 per hour, and  tipped employees must be paid $9.98 per hour. On September 30, 2025 these rates will increase to $14.00 per hour for non-tipped employees and $10.98 per hour for tipped employees. Employers should also note and begin to prepare for the final scheduled increase on September 30, 2026, increasing the minimum wage to $15.00 for non-tipped employees and $11.98 for tipped employees. Beginning in 2027, the minimum wage requirements will be adjusted "as necessary to account for inflation.

  2. Update Required Workplace Posters: https://floridajobs.org/business-growth-and-partnerships/for-employers/display-posters-and-required-notices

Monitor Closely:

  1. Proposed Medical Marijuana Protections: Recently, a FL court granted judgment in favor of a former public employee who had been placed on unpaid leave after testing positive for alleged use of medical marijuana, off the clock and off the work site. As a result, FL employers should consider adding a disability accommodation process to existing drug testing policies for job applicants and employees who hold a medical marijuana card. It’s important to note that FL employers still do not need to allow their employees to show up to work under the influence of medical marijuana or possess marijuana on company property. Further, Public employers in FL may also want to monitor House Bill 83 / Senate Bill 142, which, if passed, would provide specific job protections for medical marijuana cardholders. Note: HB 83 and SB 142 apply only to Public employers and not to private employers. However, many private employers may choose to follow suit.

  2. Proposed Child Labor Laws: Recent proposed changes to Florida’s child labor laws would remove certain employment restrictions for minors, essentially allowing them to be employed for longer hours with no required break, including overnight, and during the school year. 

    This is a hotly debated legislative item in FL right now, with proponents asserting that it allow teens to gain more experience and earn more money, and opponents asserting that it allows employers to exploit minors by requiring them to work long hours, any time day or night, seven days per week, and without breaks.

    Current FL Child Labor Law Poster:

Important - your business must continue to follow the current child labor laws.

https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/reg/childlabor/documents/Child%20Labor%20Poster.pdf

References:

Florida Policy Institute - https://www.floridapolicy.org/posts/fast-facts-hb-1225-and-sb-918-would-further-erode-child-labor-protections-in-florida; 

*House Bill 1225 - https://www.flhouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=81923;

*Senate Bill 918 - https://www.flhouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=81424

*If HB 1225 and SB 918 are passed into law, the proposed effective date is July 1, 2025. 

Kersten Collins