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November 22, 2022
The Commonwealth’s retail community gathered recently at Lombardo’s, in Randolph, for the 23rd Annual RAM Awards of Excellence (RAMAEs) luncheon. This year’s winners, nominated by their industry peers and local chambers of commerce, were recognized for their overall excellence, innovation and service within the retail industry. Again this year, the slate of winners featured longtime industry leaders alongside newer, hidden gems of the local retail scene.
Meet this year's winners…watch the video!
Wage and Hour Law Changes for 2023
Minimum Wage Increase and the End of Retail Premium Pay
On January 1, 2023, the last of five annual increases to the Massachusetts minimum wage will take effect, as well as the final repeal of the retail premium pay requirement. Members are reminded to take note of the following changes:
- Minimum wage increase to $15.00 per hour (currently $14.25)
- Tipped wage increase to $6.75 per hour (currently $6.15)
- Retail Premium Pay mandate is fully eliminated.
As indicated, the retail premium pay requirement for work performed on Sundays and certain holidays has been eliminated from the Massachusetts General Laws (Chapter 136 §6) as of the new year. Retail employees may be compensated at their regular rate of pay for work performed on Sundays and the holidays of New Year’s Day, Columbus Day, Veteran’s Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, and Labor Day.
Members are reminded that the Blue Law voluntary work requirement remains in effect. All work performed on Sundays, and the aforementioned holidays, by employees of retail establishments must remain voluntary and refusal to work shall not be grounds for discrimination, dismissal, discharge reduction in hours, or any other penalty.
This marks the end of the five year, incremental phase out of this longstanding discriminatory law imposed solely on the retail sector, and only in MA and RI. This costly labor mandate rendered Massachusetts a national outlier and in turn resulted in Massachusetts retailers being placed at an unfair competitive disadvantage compared to out-of-state and online sellers not subject to the law. Elimination of the requirement was the result of years of advocacy by RAM to secure a level a playing field for Massachusetts retailers. The repeal was ultimately secured as part of a negotiated legislative package designed to avoid three proposed initiative petition proposals from going to the ballot—two proposed by special interests to increase the minimum wage and establish a paid family and medical leave program, and the third proposed by RAM to reduce the state sales tax. The presence of the RAM proposal forced both the special interest groups and legislators to the table to negotiate a more balanced outcome on these issues for the Commonwealth.
Members are encouraged to download RAM’s 2023 Retail Holiday Schedule for a detailed guide to these changes.
For additional information you may also visit:
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