Compliance Stuff

The Portland, Maine, City Council voted on Monday to send a citizen initiative seeking increases in the city’s minimum wage to voters for a decision in the upcoming November election. This now marks the third time since the pandemic that voters have been asked to weigh in on the city’s minimum wage policies. In 2021, Portland voters passed a resolution increasing the minimum wage to $15 per hour, with all subsequent increases after 2024 tied to the Consumer Price Index. A subsequent citizen initiative to further raise the minimum wage failed in 2022. The current resolution facing voters calls for gradually raising the city's minimum wage from the current $15.50 an hour to $20 an hour by the year 2029, with specific, phased yearly increases. Key Details of the Minimum Wage Resolution Initial Increase and Timeline:   If passed by voters , the minimum wage would, on its earliest effective date, rise to $16.50 per hour. The minimum would then rise to $17 an hour on January 1, 202...

California officials just announced that the statewide minimum wage will increase for all employers to $16.90 on January 1, 2026 , as required by the state’s annual inflation-based adjustment process. The Department of Finance certified the applicable Consumer Price Index (CPI) increase with Friday’s announcement, triggering an impending rise in the statewide minimum wage for all businesses, regardless of size. What are the five things you need to know and what should you do in response to this announcement? Why This Matters In addition to affecting hourly pay, the change impacts exempt employee classifications, wage-related premiums, sick leave accruals, and even wage statement compliance. Employers should also note that this increase operates alongside numerous local minimum wage ordinances and industry-specific rules that may impose higher or different standards. Additional Resource For a detailed summary of the  July 1, 2025, local minimum wage increases  across California...