AgdaPkt 2018-04-09 Joint SA PFA - Laserfiche WebLink

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* In January 2021 the Redwood City minimum wage will be increased by the 2020 and 2019 CPI; this will align Redwood City’s minimum wage with the City of Belmont and City of San Mateo minimum wage programs. Training/Learners Wage The draft ordinance defaults to the State definition of a “learner’s wage” of 85% of the applicable minimum wage for the first 160 hours of employment. Staff believed that adhering to the State standard instead of creating a new local standard was the most prudent action to address the needs of both employees and businesses. Tipped vs. Non-Tipped Employees Consistent with Council’s direction and the State Legislative Counsel’s opinion (Attachment C), the draft ordinance does not allow for a different minimum wage for tipped employees versus non-tipped employees. All employees would be subject to the same wage requirement regardless of tips or gratuities received. Noticing and Enforcement The draft ordinance includes various provisions regarding notification to employees and businesses, implementation procedures, and enforcement mechanisms. Pending Council adoption of this ordinance, staff would conduct extensive outreach this summer and fall to notify employees and businesses of the higher minimum wage requirement beginning on January 1, 2019. Currently the City of San Jose Office of Equality Assurance provides contractual minimum wage enforcement services to seven cities, including Cupertino, Los Altos, Mountain View, Palo Alto, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Sunnyvale. San Jose has expressed interest to provide contractual as-needed enforcement services to the City of Redwood City. This is the most cost effective means for enforcement of a local minimum wage ordinance. Pending Council adoption of this ordinance, staff would enter into an agreement with the City of San Jose to provide third-party enforcement. Employee Protections Under this draft ordinance, employees who assert their rights to receive the City’s minimum wage are protected from retaliation. Employees may file a civil lawsuit against their employers for any violation of the draft ordinance or may file a complaint with the City. The City will investigate (via City of San Jose) possible violations and will require access to payroll records. The City may enforce violations of the minimum wage ordinance by ordering reinstatement of employees, payment of back wages unlawfully withheld, and penalties. Collective Bargaining Waiver Attachment 26.3.A. - Page 21