California is the second best place to work in the US, new study says. What was No. 1?
California is one of the best places to work in the nation, according to a new study by Oxfam America.
The nonprofit organization ranked the state highly based on wage policies, worker protections and employees’ rights to organize.
The group’s latest report gathered data from all U.S. states, districts and territories, including Puerto Rico and Washington D.C.
Although Oxfam America named California the best place to work in 2023, Washington D.C. claimed the top spot this year, earning an overall score of 85.67 out of 100.
Washington, D.C., scored 90.22 out of 100 for wages, 70.24 out of 100 for worker protections and a straight 100 for rights to organize.
California was the second-best place to work, the study found, while Oregon came in third.
Why is California one of the best states to work in US?
Oxfam America gave California an overall score of 85.11 out of 100.
The Golden State received a score of 75.27 out of 100 for wage policies, 85.71 out of 100 for worker protections and 100 out of 100 for workers’ rights to organize.
What are California’s wage policies?
Most states — including California — have implemented minimum wages above the federal base pay of $7.25, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
As of Jan. 1, California’s minimum wage is $16 per hour.
In April, the starting pay for fast-food workers employed at large chains was raised to $20 an hour.
What are California’s worker protections and rights to organize?
Many states — including California — have established policies for the health and well-being of the working class, Oxfam America said.
“In California, workers are protected by labor laws,” the state Department of Industrial Relations’ Labor Enforcement Task Force said. “It does not matter where you were born or what your legal status is.”
These rights include:
- Rest and meal breaks
- Minimum wage and overtime
- Benefits if injured or unemployed
- Safe and healthy jobs
- Taking action without being punished
In California, new working mothers and pregnant employees are among the most protected in the country.
Under California’s Family Rights Act, they have the right to request four months of disability leave, less strenuous duties and reasonable accommodation, such as longer breaks.
California law also protects pregnant workers by prohibiting employers from firing them due to pregnancy or for taking disability leave. When a pregnant worker returns to work, the employer is required to provide the same position or a similar one with equivalent pay, working hours and location.
California has strong policies to ensure workers have the right to organize, according to the Department of Industrial Relations Labor Enforcement Task Force.
This can be to collectively bargain with employers and negotiate wages.
Where are the best places for employees in US?
These are the top 10 states and districts for workers, according to Oxfam America:
- Washington, D.C.
- California
- Oregon
- New York
- Washington
- New Jersey
- Illinois
- Massachusetts
- Connecticut
- Colorado
Where are the worst states to work?
According to Oxfam America’s findings, these 10 states ranked as the worst places to work in 2024:
- North Carolina
- Mississippi
- Georgia
- Alabama
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Wyoming
- Kentucky
Who are the best employers in California?
These are the top 10 companies to work for in California, according to a recent Forbes study:
- Progressive
- In-N-Out Burger
- NVIDIA
- Microsoft
- Ford Motor
- Apple
- Caltech
- Sony
- Nike
Read why these companies were named the best by Forbes.
How did Oxfam America come up with its findings?
Oxfam America determined the best and worst places to work in the United States by calculating the most recent data related to wages, worker protections and workers’ rights to organize.
Wage policies were examined by whether workers earned a sufficient wage to support themselves and their families.
Key factors include the ratio of minimum wage to the cost of living for a family of four and the adequacy of unemployment insurance benefits relative to living costs.
Worker protection policies were assessed the quality of life for workers, focusing on women and parents. It includes paid breaks for breastfeeding, mandates for equal pay and paid family and medical leave.
Right to organize policies were evaluated by whether workers have the right to form and sustain unions. It considers factors such as the presence of “right-to-work” laws and protections against retaliation.
Data was collected from several sources, including the U.S. Department of Labor, state legislatures and the Bureau of Economic Activity.
This story was originally published September 2, 2024 at 6:00 AM with the headline "California is the second best place to work in the US, new study says. What was No. 1?."
