August 31, 2017
JML Law

As of July 1, 2017 unincorporated areas in Los Angeles had a wage increase to $12 an hour. But the good news may not apply to every company out there. Only businesses with 26 or fewer employees are required by law to pay their employees the new minimum requirement. Businesses with 25 or more employees are required to increase their pay from $10 to $10.50 an hour. If you are encountering salary issues at work, don’t hesitate to contact a Los Angeles wage and hour attorney.

It’s not enough

It is unfortunate that some business has to be legally required to take care of their employees when these are changes they should have implemented a long time ago. Even after the much needed revenue has increased, many employees in Los Angeles still earn 15% lower than the cost of living. Even people on food stamps are struggling to get by. Let’s be real, $15 an hour it’s not enough to cover rent, utilities, food, transportation, and many other expenses. An individual making that much money is above the poverty line therefore he or she will not qualify for government assistance. In order for a family with kids to survive, two salaries are needed.

Enforcing the minimum wage

The minimum wage needs to be enforced otherwise it is useless. Los Angeles wage and hour attorneys are protecting the rights of many employees across Los Angeles who have not been paid accordingly. Some workers ignore the increase and other employment rights. With the new minimum wage, the poverty wage may also increase and more families in Los Angeles will qualify for government benefits. All workers, regardless of their background, are encouraged to seek assistance and file a claim for unpaid wages with an experienced Los Angeles employment law attorney. Employers who don’t comply with local wage laws should be taken to court. It is a critical moment for many workers in Los Angeles. Now is the time to protect your rights.

A great achievement

The new wage increase is in no doubt a great achievement but we still have long way to go before true wage increase takes place. The legal battle may never end as the cost of living continues rising and some employers refuse to compensate their employees accordingly. Workers, attorneys, and many advocacy organizations have joined forces to continue fighting for the rights of low-wage workers in Los Angeles.

What’s expected in the future?

Supervisors in Los Angeles agreed in 2015 to increase the minimum wage to $15 by 2020. But some legal obstacles still need to be overcome before the change takes place. So far, the only significant change we have seen partially implemented is the recent wage increase of $12 an hour but unfortunately it doesn’t apply to smaller businesses as of right now. There is also a provision in the new minimum wage law where state law now requires three paid days of sick leave. Economists say the wage increase can boost the economy as these workers will be spending more. However, some people who work in small businesses may lose their jobs since their employers won’t be able to provide what’s expected from them.

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