The hospitality industry is important to California’s economy and provides significant employment across the state. Due to the large workforce within the hospitality sector, many cities across the state have implemented employment regulations for the industry. Here are some of the ordinances employers need to know.
Hotel Minimum Wage Ordinances
Several cities have separate minimum wage requirements for hotel workers.
| City | Minimum Wage for Hotel Workers | Effective |
| Long Beach | $23.00 | July 1, 2024 |
| Los Angeles | $20.32 | July 1, 2024 |
| Oakland | $17.94 with health benefits $23.91 without health benefits | January 1, 2024 |
| Santa Monica | $20.32 | July 1, 2024 |
| West Hollywood | $19.61 | July 1, 2024 |
Hotel Worker Protection Ordinances
In addition to enforcing minimum wage ordinances, several cities also have protection ordinances pertaining to the safety of hotel workers. These ordinances have similar requirements, such as providing employees with a personal safety device (commonly referred to as a panic button), implementing policies about reporting threatening or violent incidents, and providing training to employees on how to handle violent incidents.
The following cities have hotel worker protection ordinances:
- Glendale
- Irvine
- Long Beach
- Los Angeles
- Oakland
- Sacramento
- Santa Monica
- West Hollywood
Right of Recall Ordinances
A handful of cities also have the right of recall ordinances, which require covered employers to offer qualified employees who were laid off available positions as they open up based on seniority and related factors. The cities of Emeryville, Long Beach, and Santa Monica all have ordinances that specifically apply to the hospitality industry.
If you have questions about local ordinances that apply to hospitality employers or related issues, contact a Jackson Lewis attorney to discuss.