It's important to make something clear: Minimum wage increases apply to all jobs, with some exceptions. So it doesn't matter if you're working undocumented, without a formal employment contract, or getting paid in cash—your employer must pay you at least the minimum wage set by the city or county where you work.

“The only exceptions are usually independent contractors or close relatives who work for a family business, among others,” Villalvazo said.

How can I make sure I receive the correct amount?

Check your pay stubs. Many employers use automated payroll services that usually keep up with minimum wage changes. Still, it's a good idea to check the hourly rate listed to make sure it's not the outdated minimum wage or a lower amount.

If your wages are paid via automatic deposit and you don't receive paper pay stubs, you can contact your human resources or payroll department – or, in smaller companies, your boss directly – and ask for your most recent pay stub to confirm that the amount in your account is correct.

In some cases, you can get this information yourself if your employer has a digital employee portal (the place where you can check other information like your schedule or insurance benefits).

And one more thing to keep in mind: Even though the new minimum wage goes into effect on July 1, that doesn't mean the check or deposit you get on July 1 will be any bigger. If your employer pays you every two weeks, your July 1 wage will be for the hours you worked in the second half of June. You won't see any (?) change until you start getting paid again in mid-July.

What happens if I get paid in cash?

Remind your employer of the new minimum wage and ask them to recount your wages in front of you to make sure each hour is paid at the new rate.

Villalvazo adds that it's a good idea to keep written records of your work hours even if your employer doesn't track them.

“It's really important that you keep timely records,” he said. “So log every day and create some sort of timestamp of the hours you worked, when you entered the job site and when you left.”

I think my employer is paying me less than the minimum wage. What can I do?

First, talk to your coworkers, Villalvazo said, and ask them if they think they're being underpaid, too. “If you're all making less than you should be, talk to your employer. I think that gives you a little more leverage,” he said.

Some people may be nervous in these situations—either because they're afraid of losing their job or because their immigration situation is complicated. However, it's a right protected by the State of California to make sure you receive the wages required by law, regardless of your job or immigration status.

“Your employer cannot fire you if you try to enforce your legal rights. And if he does, he faces severe penalties,” Villalvazo said.

Another option is to talk to your boss about it via email or text message. In your message, tell your employer in writing:

• The hourly wage you receive
• The right minimum wage you should receive
• How long you have been paid the wrong amount (if this applies to you)

You can also send a link (or screenshot) to your city government's website, which lists the new minimum wage—like this poster from the City of San Francisco, which lists the city's new minimum wage.

“Not every employer is necessarily acting in bad faith,” Villalvazo said. “Try negotiating directly with your employer to ensure they comply with local laws regarding minimum wage.”

If your employer doesn't track your work hours, now is a good time to pull out any paperwork you've kept that shows how much time you worked. “Text messages or emails are honestly best because they have a time stamp,” Villalvazo said. “So it would be really hard to refute what the text message or email says if it actually happened.”

And after the conversation, send your boss an email or text message confirming that you discussed your salary and what you agreed to (or didn't). That way, you'll have a record of what you talked about in case the same situation happens again in the future.

I've spoken to my employer about my salary, but they're not doing anything. What can I do now?

If your employer still refuses to adjust your salary so that you receive the minimum wage, you have several options.

One option is to file a wage theft claim with the state Department of Labor (also known as the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement), which investigates employers accused of wage theft. However, the Department of Labor continues to struggle with staffing shortages, and KQED has published several investigations showing that workers who file wage theft claims may have to wait years for a result.