Oakland Voters Pass Paid Sick Leave and Minimum Wage Ordinance (Proposition FF)

Published: November 24, 2014

On November 4, 2014, Oakland voters passed measure FF. This measure establishes a minimum wage in the City of Oakland to $12.25 per hour beginning March 2, 2015. This brings Oakland’s minimum wage increase in line with San Francisco’s minimum wage, which also increases to $12.25 effective May 1, 2015. Proposition FF also requires that Oakland employers provide paid sick leave to their employees beginning on March 2, 2015. Employees would accrue one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked. Employers may cap paid sick leave earned by an employee at 40 hours for employees of small businesses (defined as employers who normally have fewer than ten workers) and 72 hours for employees of other employers. Employees may use paid sick leave for the employee’s own illness or injury, or to care for certain family members who are ill or injured. Employees with no spouse or domestic partner may designate one person for whom the employee may use paid sick leave to provide care. All of these paid sick leave provisions mirror San Francisco’s Paid Sick Leave Ordinance which voters previously passed and became effective 2007.