Pasadena's Local Minimum Wage increase Begins Tomorrow - July 1, 2016
New wage applies to businesses with 20 or more employees
The Pasadena Chamber vigorously opposed the local ordinance, and argues that the City should default to the newly imposed State of California minimum wage, but the Pasadena City Council chose to maintain the local ordinance which goes into effect July 1. 2016
Here is information from the City of Pasadena:
Dear Pasadena Business Owner:
On March 14, 2016, the Pasadena City Council adopted a local Minimum Wage Ordinance, which will take effect July 1, 2016 for businesses with 26 employees or more. The Minimum Wage will be $10.50 per hour for employees that work 2 hours or more per week in Pasadena. The ordinance has civil and criminal penalties for failing to comply.
The Minimum Wage Ordinance requires an official notice to be posted in a location that is viewable by all employees. The official notice must also be posted in languages that are spoken by 5% or more of a business’ employees.
You can download the notice here: 
2016_Official_Notice_Pasadena-Minimum_Wage_June_2016.pdf
Please use the attached “Official Notice” for your posting. Also included are “Frequently Asked Questions”. For additional questions, and/or for further inquiries regarding the minimum wage, please email:
Email: MinimumWage@cityofpasadena.net
City of Pasadena
Department of Human Services and Recreation
(626) 744-7300
(626) 744-6530
Website: www.cityofpasadena.net/MinimumWage
Remember that the Pasadena minimum wage ordinance takes effect on July 1, 2016 and as of that day, you must pay no less than $10.50 per hour to all of your employees and you must post the enclosed notice.
To download notices in Spanish, Armenian, and Mandarin visit: cityofpasadena.net/MinimumWage
City of Pasadena Minimum Wage Frequently Asked Questions, June 2016
- What is in the City of Pasadena Minimum Wage Ordinance?
The City Council approved the ordinance to create a City Minimum Wage. The ordinance requires employers that maintain a place of business in Pasadena or perform any work/service within Pasadena city limits to pay the City Minimum Wage. The City’s Minimum Wage will be $10.50 per hour on July 1, 2016 for large businesses.
- When does the City of Pasadena Minimum Wage Ordinance take effect?
The ordinance takes effect on July 1, 2016.
- Does the Pasadena Minimum Wage apply to all employers that have employees who perform work in Pasadena?
Yes, all employers regardless of where they are located must pay the Pasadena Minimum Wage to their employees who perform at least two hours of work in Pasadena.
- Is the Pasadena minimum wage the same for employees of nonprofit agencies?
The Ordinance will establish a procedure to allow a nonprofit employer with 26 or more employees to qualify for the deferral rate (Section 5.02.025)
- Does the Pasadena minimum wage cover employees who work in Pasadena but are not Pasadena residents?
Yes. Any person who performs at least two hours of work in a particular week for an employer within the geographic boundaries of the City of Pasadena is entitled to be paid the Pasadena minimum wage.
- Does the Pasadena Minimum Wage Ordinance protect undocumented workers?
Yes. All workers are protected. Workers reporting violations of the Minimum Wage Ordinance with the City of Pasadena will not be questioned about their immigration status.
- What’s the difference between the Federal, State, and Pasadena Minimum Wage laws?
The newly adopted state minimum wage law does not preempt Pasadena’s minimum wage ordinance. Pasadena’s minimum wage ordinance increases the minimum wage at a faster rate than does the new state minimum wage law. Employers must follow the stricter standard; that is, the one that is most beneficial to the employees. Since Pasadena’s current law requires a higher minimum wage rate than the state and federal laws, all employers that have employees who perform work in Pasadena must pay Pasadena’s minimum wage rate unless their employees are exempt under California law.
- May an employee agree to work for less than the Pasadena minimum wage?
No. The Pasadena minimum wage is an obligation of the employer and cannot be waived by an employee.
- What can I do if my employer does not pay me at least the Pasadena minimum wage?
TBD - --you can file a wage claim with the City of Pasadena’s Human Services Department; you must file a claim in writing by mail or in person. The City has the authority to inspect workplaces, interview witnesses, and request copies of important documents. The ordinance also provides employees the right to file a civil action in court against the employer.
- What can I do if my employer retaliates against me because I question him/her about not being paid the Pasadena minimum wage?
Under the ordinance, it is unlawful for an employer to retaliate against any employee who asserts their right to receive the Pasadena minimum wage. An employee or another person may report to the Department in writing any suspected violation of the MWO, including retaliation.