public void increasePayRate() //(Works) Allows the user to click and increase pay w/out inputting values
{
    payRate = payRate + payRateIncrement;
    // all statements here are within themethod block, not the if block
    // so thesestatements here execute ALWAYS

    if(payRate <= maxPayRate)
    {
        // these statements here executewhen the payrate is within limits
        // at least when you set up the condition right! :)
        ;
    }
    else
    {
        // these statements here will execute when the payrate was not within limits, so we display an error
        System.out.println("error message: " + "Can't be more then the max pay rate value " + maxPayRate);
    }
}