AGO Opinion Topics: MINIMUM WAGE HOTEL AND RESTAURANT EMPLOYEES

In the case of a hotel or restaurant that is subject to both the Washington minimum wage act and the federal fair labor standards act, that hotel or restaurant, as an employer, is required to pay its eligible employees at least the $1.80 per hour minimum wage now required by RCW 49.46.020 even though a lesser minimum hourly wage could be paid under the federal act because of the credits for tips, board and lodging that are allowed under that act.