2020 kicked off with over 7 million job openings across America. For the current job seekers, this came as welcome news. Estimates put job openings at 1.4 million more than the number of unemployed job seekers. This does not mean that the job hunt market is not a competitive one, however. Around 70 percent of those already in employment are also seeking another job, and around 10 percent of job seekers choose to relocate for work. For those willing to relocate out of state, it’s about more than just considering the stress of moving to another state; it is also about getting familiar with the terms and benefits of your new job before you make the move. Each state has its own legislation when it comes to certain job benefits – benefits you should look out for in your out-of-state job search.
Financial Remuneration Laws Including Minimum Wage
One of the key factors to consider when deciding whether to move for a job is, of course, the financial benefits. While the federal minimum wage remains $7.25, many states have successfully drafted and passed their own legislation on acceptable minimum wages. At the beginning of 2020, 21 states raised their minimum wages. Of these 21 states, seven of them, including Alaska, Florida and Vermont, did so automatically in line with the rise in the cost of living. The other 14 (including Arizona, New York and Washington) raised their minimum wages thanks to approved ballot votes and legislation.
This will come in useful when deciding whether to apply for jobs or even when deciding to accept a job offer. If you are heading into the all-important interview stage, state averages, along with the minimum wage, can be a great guide in answering the common salary expectations question. You should also need to weigh the remunerations against your costs of living. For instance, the districts of Columbia and California currently have some of the highest minimum wages at $15 and $13 respectively. However, housing and other costs of living have soared in recent years. To find out the applicable minimum wage for a specific state, head to the National Conference of State Legislatures website or individual state websites.
Requirements For Paid Employee Sick Leave And Insurance Cover
When it comes to employee insurance, employers in most states are required to provide healthcare, disability and workers compensation coverage. The only exception to this is Texas, where workers compensation cover is optional. However, the rules governing these laws differ according to the state. In Virginia, workers comp insurance is required for firms employing three or more workers, with no exceptions or waivers permitted. Other states such as California and Indiana require workers compensation insurance regardless of the number of employees on staff. This includes seasonal, part-time and full-time workers.
Other benefits, such as dental insurance, are not required, but 35 states do provide limited coverage for adults. When it comes to paid time off for illness, California, Vermont and Oregon all require the provision of paid sick leave. This can be further negotiated with individual employers, including the provision for mental health conditions. However, the majority of remaining states do not mandate paid sick leave as an employee benefit. Since there is no federal law outlining guidelines on paid sick leave in the private sector, individual state laws are your best bet when it comes to gauging what qualifies as paid time off and the number of hours provided annually.
Policies On Family Leave
If you plan on moving with a family or will be expanding your family in the future, parental leave will be a much-appreciated employee benefit to have. However, the laws on parental leave differ according to states, with five states currently mandating paid parental leave. States like California, Washington and New York again come out on top by being the states offering paid parental leave. However, the lack of state laws does not necessarily mean no parental leave is offered, since ultimately, employers can choose to offer it if they deem fit.
Applying for a job out of state is not easy, but it is achievable. Just be sure to head into the job hunt prepared and armed with the right tools – a discrimination-proof resume, a carefully crafted cover letter, and a checklist of the job benefit differences to look out for.
