California ranks 4th in the US, for minimum wage laws. However, four city ordinances have increased minimum wages in there city. Employers have to make sure they are in compliance with the minimum wages and benefits required by the city.
In San Francisco, the City will gradually raise its minimum wage from its current rate of $10.74 per hour. Under the new law, wages will rise to $12.25 per hour in May 2015 and, thereafter, will increase every year until the minimum wage rate reaches $15.00 per hour in July 2018. After that, annual increases will be tied to a cost-of-living calculation.
Oakland, the city’s minimum wage rate will be increased from ,its current hourly rate of $9.00 to $12.25 per hour in March 2015. Oakland’s minimum wage rate then will increase each year after 2015 based on cost-of-living increases. Oakland’s measure also includes provisions requiring employers in the city to offer a minimum of at least five days of sick leave to all employees. Joining workers in San Francisco and other cities across the country, employees in Oakland now will accrue one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours they work. Employers may cap paid sick leave earned by an employee at 40 hours for employees of “small businesses” (employers who normally have fewer than 10 workers) and 72 hours for employees of other employers.
San Jose Minimum Wage will increase from $10.15 to $10.30 per hour effective January 1, 2015. The minimum wage requirement set forth in the San Jose Minimum Wage Ordinance applies to adult and minor employees who work two (2) or more hours per week (tips not included). Each year, the City will adjust the minimum wage based on the US
Department of Labor’s Regional Consumer Price Index. Under the Ordinance, employees who assert their rights to receive the City’s minimum wage are protected from retaliation. Employees may file a civil lawsuit against their employers for any violation of the Ordinance or may file a complaint with the City’s
Office of Equality Assurance. The City will investigate possible violations, will have access to payroll records, and will enforce violations of the minimum wage
requirements by ordering reinstatement of employees, payment of back wages unlawfully withheld, and penalties.
Berkeley City Council adopted a Minimum Wage Ordinance. Beginning October 1, 2014, all employers must pay to each employee who performs work within the geographic boundaries of Berkeley, wages not less than ten dollars ($10.00) per hour; not less than eleven dollars ($11.00) per hour effective October 1, 2015; and not less than twelve dollars and fifty-three cents ($12.53) effective October 1, 2016.