Living Wage

WHAT IS A LIVING WAGE EMPLOYER?

• Living Wage Employers pay all direct and contract staff the living
  wage rate for their region.
• Living Wage Employers recognize that paying a living wage is an
  investment in the long-term prosperity of the economy.
• We all have a role to play in ending poverty. The minimum wage is a government response to address working poverty. The living wage is an employer’s opportunity to address the same problem.

PAYING A LIVING WAGE

The living wage is a bare-bones calculation that looks at the amount that a family of four needs to earn to meet their expenses. The living wage includes costs like rent and groceries as well as items like
extended health care and two weeks savings for each adult. It does not include debt repayment or savings for future plans.

To calculate the living wage rate, employers take into account their employees’ total wage plus benefits. If employees receive non-mandatory benefits, the living wage rate is reduced. See our benefits calculator 
for details.

Learn more about becoming a Living Wage Employer.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A LIVING WAGE?

GOOD FOR EMPLOYERS

Employers have found that implementing a living wage has increased their
employee recruitment and retention. Vancity saw that the most
significant impact was the swelling of pride in all staff after
implementing a living wage. Staff at Living Wage Employers are proud to
contribute to a company that ensures that no one is left behind.

"A living wage supports our organization's mission to promote
equality, fairness and social inclusion." - BC Public Interest
Advocacy Centre

GOOD FOR OUR COMMUNITY

We all pay for poverty in our communities. We pay in increased use of
emergency health services when individuals aren’t able to afford to fill
prescriptions. Our education system is stretched when parents aren’t
able to support their children’s education because they are working
multiple jobs. Investing in a living wage is investing in the health of
our communities.

GOOD FOR THE ECONOMY

When low-wage workers see an increase in their wages they spend their
money locally. A living wage allows families to participate in the
social, civic and cultural lives of their communities. They support
local business and participate in community events. We all benefit when
we reduce poverty in our communities.