State flag of California

On March 15, 2021, the City Council of West Hollywood added new categories of workers to its existing hero pay mandate of $5.00 per hour worked for large-chain grocery store employees. The new ordinance goes into effect on April 16, 2021, and expires on August 16, 2021.

The City’s initial hero pay, which passed on February 16, 2021, applied only to large-chain grocery store employees. The new ordinance adds nonmanagerial and nonsupervisorial employees who work for either “drug retail stores” or “retail stores” to the list of workers entitled to hero pay. The new ordinance defines “drug retail store” as a store that sells prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and miscellaneous items such as beverages and canned foods. Covered “retail stores” are stores 85,000 square feet or larger and that dedicate 10 percent or more of their sales floor to retailing food products or drug retail products. The ordinance covers drug retail stores and retail stores only if they are part of chains that employ at least 300 workers nationally and 15 employees per store in West Hollywood.

The premium pay requirement for employees of covered grocery stores remains in effect from February 17, 2021, to June 17, 2021.

Ogletree Deakins will continue to monitor and report on developments with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic and will post updates in the firm’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resource Center as additional information becomes available. Important information for employers is also available via the firm’s webinar and podcast programs.


Browse More Insights

Fountain pen signing a document, close view with center focus
Practice Group

Employment Law

Ogletree Deakins’ employment lawyers are experienced in all aspects of employment law, from day-to-day advice to complex employment litigation.

Learn more
Weekly Time Sheet
Practice Group

Wage and Hour

Ogletree Deakins’ Wage and Hour Practice Group features attorneys who are experienced in advising and representing employers in a wide range of wage and hour issues, and who are located in Ogletree Deakins’ offices across the country.

Learn more
Inside a large shopping mall in Almaty
Industry Group

Retail

Ogletree Deakins is a retail industry leader with clients ranging from brick-and-mortar retailers to online merchants, and small businesses to Fortune 500 corporations. We represent companies in a range of retail sectors, including but not limited to: discount stores, department stores, luxury retailers, home goods and specialty stores, home improvement centers, grocers, pharmacies, online retailers…

Learn more

Sign up to receive emails about new developments and upcoming programs.

Sign Up Now