California Minimum Wage Increases on July 1, 2025

Employers and employees should be aware that several California cities have recently increased their minimum wage on July 1, 2025. The state’s minimum wage increase applies to all employers regardless of its size and the number of people it employs. The state’s minimum wage is the least amount you may pay an employee for each hour of work. However, a city many set its own minimum wage that is higher than the state’s. In those cases, the higher minimum wage applies if you employ or work in a city with the higher minimum wage.

Los Angeles’ Proposed Minimum Wage Increase for Airport and Workers in Large Hotels (60+ rooms) Remains Suspended

Despite the fact that a referendum filed this past June has put this new proposed minimum wage increase on hold, employers need to be aware of what new potential rules they may have to follow. In addition, employees will need to be aware of what new rights and wages they may be entitled to. This is especially important because the potential increase in minimum wage for airport workers and large hotel workers will be significant. If the new minimum wage ordinances are implemented, workers in large hotels and airport workers in the City of Los Angeles will see their minimum wage increase significantly to $30/hour by 2028.

Employers are on Notice: Disparate Treatment due to DEI-Based Policies is Still Discrimination.

In a new guidance, the EEOC has shed some light on DEI-based policies and discrimination under the Civil Rights Act. The EEOC made clear that the employer is not allowed to treat its employees differently at all. Employees of all backgrounds should receive the same mentoring, training, and access to workplace networks. All employment actions taken by an employer must not be based in any way on an employee’s membership in a protected class.

The Chevron Doctrine is Overturned and Businesses Are on Notice: Courts May Change the Interpretation of Ambiguous Federal Laws (Yes, Laws that Affect Your Business)!

It’s been a few months now since the Supreme Court has overturned the “Chevron Doctrine.” If you are a business owner, this may have interesting consequences for your business. Ambiguous federal statutes will now be met with higher judicial scrutiny. The courts now have the power to change the interpretation of any statute they deem ambiguous. Most interesting of all, the federal agencies will be forced to defend their interpretations of federal regulations.

Newport Beach, California Business Owners: You Must Accept Cash!

The city of Newport Beach in Orange County, California has made it mandatory for brick-and-mortar businesses to accept payments in cash when the customer is physically present at the business. This means that the businesses can no longer decide to go “cashless” and can no longer require payment from online services such as ApplePay, Venmo, Zelle, etc. In addition, these businesses are not allowed to charge a fee or place any other condition on its acceptance of cash. This city-wide requirement begins on March 31, 2025.

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