On November 8, 2022, District of Columbia voters approved ballot Initiative 82 (“I-82”) aimed at increasing the minimum wage paid to tipped employees. Over the next four years, I-82 seeks to gradually increase the minimum wage for tipped workers in Washington D.C. — until there is a single minimum wage rate for both tipped and non-tipped employees. I-82 attempts to address the wage gap faced by tipped workers by phasing out the tipped minimum wage entirely.
On May 1, 2023, I-82 officially goes into effect and immediately increases the D.C. minimum wage for tipped employees from $5.35 to $6.00 an hour. On July 1, the D.C. minimum wage for tipped workers will again increase to $8.00 an hour. Most critically, the overall D.C. minimum wage will increase at the same time from $16.10 to $17.oo an hour. By July 2027, the D.C. tipped minimum wage rate will be eliminated, and all hourly employees must receive the same pay.
Please contact Freedman Law, LLC, if you have questions regarding your rights in the workplace.