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Thomas H. Petrides

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Thomas H. Petrides is a Shareholder in the Los Angeles office of Vedder Price and a member of the firm’s Labor & Employment practice group.
He has practiced exclusively in the area of labor and employment law on behalf of management for nearly 30 years.

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The California Department of Industrial Relations recently released its FAQs regarding the new fast food minimum wage law, AB 1228, which took effect on April 1, 2024.  The legislation sets an industry-wide minimum wage for employees in fast food establishments at $20.00 per hour and applies to employees at fast food restaurants that are part of a chain with 60 or more nationwide locations, offer limited or no table service, and are engaged in selling food and beverages for immediate consumption.  Significantly, franchises, regardless of their ownership structure, must comply if they meet these criteria.Continue Reading Navigating New Minimum Wage Requirements for California’s Fast Food Industry

Starting January 1, 2024, a new Illinois law will require employers in the greater Chicago metropolitan area with 50 or more covered employees within one mile of a fixed-route public transit service to provide their full-time employees with pre-tax public transit benefits.  This type of benefit program allows eligible employees to elect pre-tax reductions from their pay to purchase transit passes for use in commuting to and from work.  Transit passes covered by the program include fare cards and passes for public transportation. Continue Reading New Law Requires Greater Chicago Metropolitan Area Employers to Provide Pre-Tax Transit Benefits

On October 4, 2023, Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 616, amending California’s statewide paid sick and safe leave law.  Effective January 1, 2024, this amendment increases paid leave hours for employees and accrual amounts and provides some protections for employees covered by certain collective bargaining agreements. Continue Reading California Increases Requirements for Paid Sick Leave

Although many cities in the Golden State increased their minimum wage on January 1, 2023, various localities in California will increase their minimum wage on July 1, 2023.  Below is a list of the cities and counties that require an increase in the minimum wage for hourly employees:Continue Reading Employers Face Minimum Wage Increases in Certain Cities and Local Areas

Los Angeles City retail workers will join the ranks of employees in other cities who have more predictable work schedules starting April 1, 2023 (Los Angeles Municipal Code §§ 185.00–185.16 and 188.00–188.15). Continue Reading Los Angeles City’s Fair Work Week Ordinance Provides Predictable Scheduling for Certain Retail Employees

minimum wage increase
minimum wage increase

Paid Time Off Requirements

As of July 1, 2022, West Hollywood, California, home to the famous Sunset Strip and Melrose shopping district, is now one of a handful of cities in California that requires employers to provide paid time off to employees (rather than just paid sick time).

West Hollywood’s Minimum Wage Ordinance, passed late last year, requires that qualifying employees who work at least two hours of work per week in the City are entitled to paid time off.  Full-time employees who work at least 40 hours per week are entitled to 96 hours of paid time off per year, totaling 12 full days off.  The time is pro-rated for employees who work less than 40 hours per week.Continue Reading West Hollywood Requires Paid Leave and Hikes Minimum Wage