Code of Massachusetts Regulations
454 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF LABOR STANDARDS
Title 454 CMR 27.00 - Minimum Wage Regulations
Section 27.02 - Definitions

Basic Minimum Wage. The minimum wage rate in effect under M.G.L. c. 151, § 1 to be paid to an employee in an occupation as defined in M.G.L. c. 151, § 2.

Bona Fide Educational Institution. A secondary school system or an institution of higher education that has received accreditation from a recognized source.

Director. The Director of the Department of Labor Standards.

Employ. To suffer or permit to work.

Employer. An individual, corporation, partnership or other entity, including any agent thereof, that employs an employee or employees for wages, remuneration or other compensation.

Minor. A person younger than 18 years old.

Regular Hourly Rate. The amount that an employee is regularly paid for each hour of work. When an employee is paid on a piece work basis, salary, or any basis other than an hourly rate, the regularly hourly rate shall be determined by dividing the employee's total weekly earnings by the total hours worked during the week. Regardless of the basis used, an employee shall be paid not less than the applicable minimum wage each week.

The regular hourly rate shall include all remuneration for employment paid to, or on behalf of, the employee, but shall not include:

(a) sums paid as commissions, drawing accounts, bonuses, or other incentive pay based on sales or production; or

(b) sums excluded under 29 U.S.C. § 207(e).

Service Rate. The hourly rate an employer pays to a tipped employee, which may not be less than the cash wage set forth in M.G.L. c. 151, § 7.

Tipped Employee. An employee who regularly receives gratuities of more than $20 a month.

Uniform. All special apparel, including footwear, which is worn by an employee as a condition of employment. It shall be presumed that a uniform worn by an employee of any establishment is worn as a condition of employment if the uniform is of similar design, color, or material, or it forms part of the decorative pattern of the establishment to distinguish a person as an employee of the place of work. Where an employer requires a general type of basic street clothing, permits variation in details of dress, and the employee chooses the specific type and style of clothing, this clothing shall not be considered a uniform.

Working Time. Includes all time during which an employee is required to be on the employer's premises or to be on duty, or to be at the prescribed work site or at any other location, and any time worked before or after the end of the normal shift to complete the work. Working time does not include meal times during which an employee is relieved of all work-related duties. Working time includes rest periods of short duration, usually 20 minutes or less.