Is your business prepared for a minimum wage increase?

A workshop will help local businesses prepare for the increase in the minimum wage that goes into effect on January 1.

On January 1, the minimum wage in Washington state will increase from $12 to $13.50. This is pursuant to Initiative 1433, which was approved by Washington voters in the fall of 2016. Starting in 2021, minimum wage increases will be calculated by the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries using a formula tied to the rate of inflation.

The free workshop will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, October 22 at the Blaine school district conference room, 765 H Street. It is presented by the city of Blaine, the Blaine Chamber of Commerce and Western Washington University’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC).

At the workshop, Asche Rider, a certified business advisor from SBDC, will share ways to proactively plan for the wage increase. She will discuss various issues, including whether you should consider raising prices, and if so, when; whether every employee gets a raise or just those making minimum wage; steps you can take to control labor costs; how to prepare for conversations with employees; and communicating with customers.

“We’re going to provide tools to each business that attends, and we’re also going to walk through some examples,” said Rider. “Every business is different.”

Other topics to be discussed include increasing efficiencies, reducing waste and addressing pay compression, a situation that occurs when the pay difference between employee levels shrinks so that higher-level workers feel their pay advantage is no longer significant.

There is no cost to attend the workshop, but space is limited and registration is recommended. Registration can be completed online at wsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/99270784.