So you want to pay someone for every hour they might get called, too? Even if that is a very rare responsibility?
> I don’t see what it would have to do with contractors.
It would further encourage contractor relationships, as I said. I don't see this as a good thing.
It will not encourage contractor relationships anymore than now, it will simply require businesses to pay the hourly workers more and give them steady schedules, benefits, etc.
Doubtful
> it will simply require businesses to pay the hourly workers more
Why? It seems like this is a lever you're hoping to use to get the exempt workers paid more and/or a slightly greater allocation of work away from what had formerly been exempt workers.
> benefits
Why?
The whole concept of hourly minimum wage is undercut by the ability of businesses to pay a meager salary.
The mechanism of action for increases prices paid to workers is by decreasing supply of man hours from one individual at a low price (i.e. increasing salaries minimum).
I think this is absolute rounding error on the number of additional hourly workers needed.
Yes, a reasonable percentage of salaried workers in low wage industries are exploited as you describe. In turn, with an hourly wage, they'll work a small percentage fewer hours.
I don’t see what it would have to do with contractors. Minimum wage laws apply to employer employer relationships. Independent contractors can charge whatever they want.