Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles, California is a major world hub city, a cultural and commercial capital with a population of nearly four million. Los Angeles is the second largest city by population in the United States. Over 460 square miles of land fall within city limits, making Los Angeles the 14^th largest city by area in the United States. The City extends more than 40 miles from north to south.

Synonymous with the glamour of the Hollywood movie industry, Los Angeles is also known for its natural beauty. Beaches, mountains, and deserts are all within an hour or so drive from Downtown Los Angeles. Given the city’s Mediterranean climate and wide range of altitudes varying from sea level to 5,075 feet at the summit of Mount Lukens (with nearby mountains reaching 11,500 feet), it is possible during certain portions of the year to surf or swim in the Pacific Ocean and later snow ski in the mountains all in one day without leaving Southern California. Also, despite the sprawling urban development for which the area is known, nearby destinations such as Griffith Park provide quick nature getaways for local residents. Griffith Park, which lies within city limits and is one of the nation’s largest municipal parks, features a wealth of hiking and horseback trails and natural areas to explore in addition to the Los Angeles Zoo, the world-famous merry-go-round, and Travel Town.

The region was first settled more than 2,000 years ago by people (commonly known as the Gabrieleño, Gabrielino, Tongva, or Kizh) believed to have migrated from the Mojave Desert. In the late 18th century, Europeans established a mission (Mission San Gabriel Arcángel) and a pueblo (El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de Los Ángeles de Porciúncula) in the area. The region become part of Mexico in 1821. In 1847, the United States took control of the area. Los Angeles was incorporated as a municipality in 1850. Since that time, Los Angeles has grown to become a globally recognized destination for tourists, immigrants, and fortune-seekers. As a result, the city has one of the most culturally and linguistically diverse populations in the world. Los Angeles is less centralized than other metropolises in the United States.

Los Angeles is composed of many districts and neighborhoods, some of which, like Hollywood and Venice (originally a town built to resemble Venice, Italy, replete with several miles of canals and gondolas), were once incorporated cities that have since merged with Los Angeles. Within the borders of the City of Los Angeles lie the districts and neighborhoods of Silver Lake (originally known as Ivanhoe), Echo Park (the onetime center of the film industry on the West Coast), Van Nuys, North Hollywood (formerly known as Lankershim), Woodland Hills, Boyle Heights (the center of the city’s Jewish community in the decades leading up to World War II), Canoga Park (originally known as Owensmouth), and San Pedro.

The entertainment industry is one of the area’s largest and most well-known sources of employment. The motion picture industry, which is a subset of the entertainment industry, differs from other industries in many respects. Long and often irregular hours, or extensive travel, are common. Productions often involve small businesses and independent contractors hired on an as-needed basis. Laws governing wage and hour requirements and working conditions related to employment are found in various provisions of the California Labor Code, the California Code of Regulations, and the Wage Orders of the Industrial Welfare Commission. While these laws provide consistent standards for most industries, California Wage and Hour laws for motion picture industry workers differ in certain respects from those governing workers in other industries. See our Overtime Pay and Other Employment Rights for Entertainment Industry Workers webpage and Industrial Welfare Commission Order No. 12-2001 for further information.

Los Angeles has many major industries, powered by one of the world’s largest workforces, Along with entertainment & digital media, transportation, aerospace & defense, fashion, biomedical, manufacturing, apparel, hospitality & tourism, and construction are all major sources of employment. In addition, Los Angeles is home to “Silicon Beach,” a magnet for technology professionals and includes the communities of Venice, Marina del Rey, Playa Vista, and Playa del Rey, and extends into neighboring cities such as Santa Monica and El Segundo.

The so-called “gig economy” also plays a major role in the economy of Los Angeles. Ride-share and food delivery drivers working for app-based companies abound. In addition, Los Angeles has the busiest container port in the United States, and the 17^th largest such port in the world.

Given the size and prominence of the City of Los Angeles, it should come as no surprise that the city has several ordinances related to employment.

For several years, the Los Angeles Minimum Wage Ordinance has provided for an elevated minimum wage for most individuals who in any particular week perform at least two (2) hours of work within the City of Los Angeles for any employer. Employers within the City of Los Angeles must post an Office of Wage Standards Wage and Sick Time Notice in a conspicuous place at any workplace. The notice must be in English, and any other language spoken by at least five (5) percent of the employees at the workplace. For more information, please visit wagesla.lacity.org/#for-employees. Under the ordinance, there are also paid sick leave provisions.

The Office of Wage Standards of the Bureau of Contract Administration is responsible for implementing and administering the guidelines of the Los Angeles Minimum Wage and Minimum Wage Enforcement Ordinances in the City of Los Angeles.

Under the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance (FCIHO), private employers and city contractors may not include questions probing a job applicant’s criminal history on job applications or postings. As with the Los Angeles Minimum Wage Ordinance, FCIHO is applicable to most individuals who in any particular week perform at least two (2) hours of work within the City of Los Angeles for most employers with at least ten (10) employees in the City of Los Angeles. The State of California later adopted a law, the Fair Chance Act, California Government Code section 12952, which, like FCIHO, aims to reduce barriers to employment for persons with criminal histories. The City also has a New Roads to Second Chances program, which provides training, support, and jobs maintaining and cleaning roads for previously incarcerated Angelenos.

If you believe your employer or former employer has violated your rights, call the experienced and caring employment attorneys at Kokozian Law Firm, APC or Contact Us via our online form.