On Monday, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and California legislators agreed to elevate the state’s minimum wage to $8.00 per hour from the current $6.75 per hour. The increase will take effect in two stages: minimum wage earners will get a 75 cent/hour boost on Jan. 1, 2007, to $7.50, and then another 50 cent/hour raise on Jan. 1, 2008. The deal will give California the highest minimum wage in the nation when the $8 rate takes effect, just ahead of Washington, Oregon, and Connecticut.
The HR Management & Compliance Report: How To Comply with California Wage & Hour Law, explains everything you need to know to stay in compliance with the state’s complex and ever-changing rules, laws, and regulations in this area. Coverage on bonuses, meal and rest breaks, overtime, alternative workweeks, final paychecks, and more.
A bill containing the pending minimum wage provisions will now go to a vote in the legislature, where it is expected to pass easily, and then on to Gov. Schwarzenegger. Note that the deadline for the Assembly and Senate to pass bills is Aug. 31, and the governor has until Sept. 30 to sign or veto them.
Additional Resources:
Governor’s Statement on Pending Agreement to Increase Minimum Wage