Alaska Updates Regulations on Board and Lodging Deductions

The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development (LWD) has issued updated regulations detailing how employers may deduct the reasonable cost of board and lodging for employees from the state minimum wage. These regulations are effective July 28, 2023.

Alaska eliminates minimum wage exception for workers with disabilities

Alaska has enacted Senate Bill 185 (SB 185) which eliminates the use of the subminimum wage for workers with disabilities. SB 185 is effective Dec. 12, 2022.

Alaska to increase minimum wage in 2021

The minimum wage in Alaska will increase to $10.34 per hour on January 1, 2021. The change is a result of annual adjustment for inflation. All non-exempt employees must be paid at least the minimum wage per hour.

Alaska requires new notice for unemployment insurance

The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development has adopted an emergency rule that expands the state's unemployment insurance notice requirements. The rule takes effect immediately and expires on Aug. 3, 2020, unless extended.

Alaska’s minimum wage to increase in 2020

The minimum wage in Alaska will increase to $10.19 per hour on January 1, 2020. This change is the result of an annual adjustment for inflation. All non-exempt employees must be paid at least the minimum wage per hour.

Minimum Wage Update for Various Jurisdictions

Various jurisdictions have increased their minimum wage rates. If applicable, you must increase the pay rate for exempt and/or non-exempt employees to meet the new minimum wage. For New York, the pay rate increase is effective on or before December 31, 2018. For all other jurisdictions and federal contractors, the increase is effective on or before January 1, 2019. An updated poster is not required provided that the employer has the most recent poster already on display. If needed, employers should order a new minimum wage poster. The minimum wage rate is based on the employee’s work location.

Alaska Smoking Ban

Alaska Statute 18.35.300 prohibits smoking in an enclosed area in places of employment and public places.

Alaska Prohibits Employers from Mandating Tip Sharing

Alaska issued amended regulations prohibiting employers from redistributing employees’ tips among other workers. The regulations also clarify who is considered a tipped employee.

Employers Cannot Consider Prior Salary History under the Federal Equal Pay Act

On April 9, 2018, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit held in Rizo v. Yovino that prior salary alone—or in combination with other factors—cannot justify a wage differential between male and female employees under the Equal Pay Act. No. 16-15372 (Apr. 9, 2018). This Rizo decision overturns a 2017 Ninth Circuit decision, which held that prior salary was a permissible “factor other than sex” under the Equal Pay Act. The Rizo decision is now the federal law across the Ninth Circuit jurisdiction - Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington.

Alaska Repeals Subminimum Wage

Effective February 16, 2018, Alaska employees with disabilities must be paid at least the Alaska minimum wage, which is currently $9.84 per hour.

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