Minimum Wage Law in California

Starting with legislation passed in 2017, California’s minimum wage increases each year. For this reason, from January 1, 2022, the minimum wage at the state level increased. Do you think your employer is not paying you your full salary following local laws?

How much should my employer pay me?

It depends on the number of employees at your workplace. Both categories should increase by a dollar each year.

• Businesses with 26 or more employees: The minimum wage increased this year to $15 an hour
• Businesses with 26 or fewer employees: Minimum wage increased this year to $14 an hour

Some California cities actually require a higher minimum wage than the minimum required by state law. Contact us if you have questions about this.

What if I am receiving less?

It is possible that the problem is not isolated and that you are not the only one affected. If your employer fails to pay multiple employees their wages appropriately, it is possible to file a class action or other representative action with the help of a California employment law attorney.

Are there other things that could affect my salary?

• Failure to pay for meals and rest breaks: If your employer fails to provide meal and rest breaks, you must be paid for those breaks.
• Complicated trackers: Some tools and apps used to track time worked to calculate wages and payments can be too difficult to use or even buggy.
• Misclassification as “exempt”: If you are classified as an exempt employee without being one, it may be a way for your employer to avoid paying overtime rates.

Whether unpaid wages are due to an employer’s unintentional mistakes or intentional maneuvering, employees are entitled to their earned wages. The affected employees can take legal action to obtain the payment they are owed.