Category: Minimum Wage

California Supreme Court Clarifies Good-Faith Defense to Unpaid Wage Claims
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Posted in Compensation Minimum Wage

California Supreme Court Clarifies Good-Faith Defense to Unpaid Wage Claims

Typically, employees who prove minimum wage violations are entitled to liquidated damages. Recently though, the California Supreme Court issued an opinion clarifying employers’ good-faith defense…

20363
Posted in Minimum Wage

California’s 2026 Minimum Wage Increases to $16.90 Per Hour

On August 1, the California Department of Finance Director Joe Stephenshaw officially certified that beginning January 1, 2026, California’s minimum wage will increase to $16.90 per hour…

The city of Los Angeles’ new ordinance would cover employers with 500 or more employees nationally.
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Posted in Local Ordinances Minimum Wage

City of Los Angeles Hotel and Airport Worker Wage Increase Put on Hold After Referendum Petition Filed

Updated 09/16/2025: After the referendum petition failed, the $22.50 per hour hotel and airport worker minimum wage, along with the related changes discussed here, took…

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Posted in General Minimum Wage

Free 2025 Midyear Employment Law Update White Paper

In 2025, employment law changes and updates continue to be constant — and we’re only halfway through the year! While most California laws usually take…

Some California Health Care Worker Minimum Wage Rates Increase July 1
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Posted in Minimum Wage

Some California Health Care Worker Minimum Wage Rates Increase July 1

On October 16, 2024, California’s health care worker minimum wage took effect with different rate schedules for different types of covered health care facilities. And…

Federal Contractor Minimum Wage Order Rescinded
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Posted in Minimum Wage

Federal Contractor Minimum Wage Order Rescinded

On March 14, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order that revoked several previous executive orders issued by former President Joe Biden, including Executive…

Making Sense of Minimum Wage Requirements
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Posted in Minimum Wage

Making Sense of Minimum Wage Requirements

With different federal, state, local and industry-specific minimum wage requirements, how do I know if I am properly paying my California employees? The first step…

DOL Proposes Phasing Out Subminimum Wage for Disabled Workers
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Posted in Disabilities Minimum Wage

DOL Proposes Phasing Out Subminimum Wage for Disabled Workers

On December 3, 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued a proposed rule that would eventually phase out certificates that permit employers to pay certain…

California Local Minimum Wage Rates Increasing January 1, 2025
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Posted in Local Ordinances Minimum Wage

California Local Minimum Wage Rates Increasing January 1, 2025

Many California jurisdictions are ringing in the new year with local minimum wage increases so California employers should double check the local minimum wage(s) in…

Ninth Circuit Rules Federal Contractor Minimum Wage Order Exceeded Presidential Authority
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Posted in Minimum Wage

Ninth Circuit Rules Federal Contractor Minimum Wage Order Exceeded Presidential Authority

On November 5, 2024, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the federal contractor minimum wage mandate, issued under Executive Order 14026, exceeded the…