Labor & Employment Law Blog

Recently, several cities and counties across California have enacted their own minimum wage and sick leave ordinances. Many of these local ordinances are scheduled to take effect July 1, 2016. Local businesses must make sure to comply with these new ordinances and pay their workers not only the state minimum wage, but also any applicable city or county minimum wage for all work performed within the geographic boundaries subject to these new laws.

Below is a summary of changes to the law set to occur on July 1, 2016:

Los Angeles City:

Employers with 26 or more employees will be required to pay a minimum wage of $10.50 for all work performed within the city limits. Employers with 25 or fewer employees will receive a one-year delay from the increase to July 1, 2017.  Certain non-profit corporations with 26 or more employees may also apply for deferral of the increased minimum wage until July 1, 2017.

Also, starting July 1, 2016, employers with 26 or more employees will be required to provide paid sick leave beyond the requirements of state law.  Employers with 25 or fewer employees also receive a one-year delay from compliance and must begin providing enhanced sick leave benefits on July 1, 2017.  More information on the Los Angeles Sick Leave Ordinance is available here.

Los Angeles County – Unincorporated Areas:

For each hour worked within the unincorporated areas of the County, an employer with twenty-six (26) or more employees shall pay a wage of no less than $10.50 beginning July 1, 2016. An employer with twenty-five (25) or fewer employees receives a one year delay to pay the increased minimum wage until July 1, 2017.

More information on the Los Angeles County minimum wage is available here.

The County lists unincorporated areas of the County here.

El Cerrito:

For each hour worked within the city limits, an employer shall pay a wage of no less than $11.60 beginning July 1, 2016.

Emeryville:

Beginning July 1, 2016, the minimum wage will increase to $14.82 for employers with fifty-six (56) or more employees. For employers with fifty-five (55) or fewer employees, the minimum wage will be set at $13.00 starting July 1, 2016.

Santa Monica:

For each hour worked within the city limits, an employer with 26 or more employees shall pay a wage of no less than $10.50 beginning July 1, 2016. Businesses with 25 or fewer employees will receive a one year delay from the wage increase to July 1, 2017.

Pasadena:

For each hour worked within the city limits, an employer shall pay a wage of no less than $10.50 beginning July 1, 2016.

San Francisco:

For each hour worked within the city limits, the minimum wage will increase to $13.00 beginning July 1, 2016.

Sunnyvale:

For each hour worked within the city limits, the minimum wage will increase to $11.00 beginning July 1, 2016.

San Diego:

On June 7, 2016, the voters in San Diego approved an increased minimum wage and enhanced sick leave for employees in the City.  The increases will become effective immediately once approved by the City Council.  The City Council vote will likely take place on July 11 or July 18, 2016.  An update to the blog on the San Diego ordinance will be issued shortly detailing the San Diego requirements.