Uncertainty Abounds as California Minimum Wage Continues to Rise

With California’s minimum wage on an upward trend through 2022, employers are expressing concerns about fewer job opportunities, decreased hours and higher prices. Partner Sage Knauft  was quoted in SHRM’s October 18 article, “Uncertainty Abounds as California Minimum Wage Continues to Rise.”

“The retail and hospitality industries are especially concerned about the increases because a large percentage of their workforce is made up of minimum-wage and lower-skilled workers,” explained Sage Knauft. “Some worry that lower-skilled college-age people will be priced out as businesses focus on retaining better-skilled workers.”

Knauft “added that rising wages also could lead to decreases in the hours given to each worker. The wage increases likely will also accelerate the push toward automation, leading to fewer jobs.”

Click here to read the article.