As of the first of July raises the minimum wage in Los Angeles CountyBut figuring out what that amount is is sometimes confusing as there are some areas of the county that have their own minimum wage.
At Telemundo 52 Responde we spoke with the authorities in charge, to clear up doubts.
We have received multiple questions from the public about how they can figure out their minimum wage, and also how to report if they are not being paid what they are due.
Every July 1st, the minimum wage increases in Los Angeles County, and this year, the minimum goes up to $16.90 per hour. But not everywhere, and that creates a lot of confusion.
Some of the questions that reach Telemundo 52 Responde are: how much should they pay me if I work in Los Angeles County, but not in the city of Los Angeles? Or, if my job is in an unincorporated area of the county, but sometimes my boss sends me to work at another location that the business has, which is in a city that has its own minimum wage, what is my salary?
“It is where you work that determines the jurisdiction. Employers must post the county notice in the work area,” said Maggie Becerra, Executive Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services.
So if you work two or more hours a week in an unincorporated area, the local minimum wage applies.
By law, employers must put signs in a visible area, so their workers know what they are entitled to earn, but if they can’t find them, or don’t understand them.
“Our counselors can help you determine what minimum wage applies,” Becerra said.
And it is that, in certain unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County, the salary is different.
“There are several cities that have adopted their own minimum wage rates. Like the city of Los Angeles, which will be $16.78 per hour,” Becerra said.
Two of the cities that have set their own minimum wage, which is higher than the county’s, are Pasadena, where it will be $16.93, and West Hollywood where, by law, a minimum wage of $19.08 per hour must be paid starting January 1. July.
To clear up doubts, you can call the Department of Consumer and Business Services at 1-800-593-8222, or visit workers.Lacounty.Gov or even send an email with your doubts to wagehelp@dcba. lacounty.gov
And if your boss isn’t paying you what the law should, also speak up without fear.
“They can submit a complaint or question anonymously. It is also worth noting that immigration status is not considered when investigating a workplace,” Becerra added.
By the way, if in your workplace they have not been paying what they owed, and the workers report it, the authorities must study their case and if they determine that there were violations, those affected could receive all their back wages for up to 4 years.
