Wage & Benefit Parity

Harvard was the first institution of higher education in the United States to address worker equity issues when the University instituted its Wage and Benefit Parity Policy (WBPP) in 2002.

Through continued operation under the WBPP, the University seeks to ensure that contracted custodial, retail dining and security service workers at Harvard receive total compensation comparable to that offered to corresponding University employees. Harvard requires that:

  • Wages paid to vendor employees are equal to those paid to Harvard employees in the corresponding service sector;
  • Vendor employees receive the same benefits and paid time off as Harvard employees in the corresponding service sector; and,
  • Vendors allow all their employees to participate in the Harvard Bridge Program

The major principles of this progressive policy have now been established and the University continues to work closely with on-campus vendors, as well as University contract managers, to ensure that they pay their on-campus employees total compensation (defined as wages, health and pension benefits, and paid time off) comparable to that received by corresponding Harvard-employed workers.

Harvard’s offices of Labor and Employee Relations (LER) and Strategic Procurement Management continue to identify new vendors who must comply with the provisions of the WBPP. All of these vendors have signed a Master Services Contract, which sets forth the requirements of the WBPP and requires them to certify their compliance with it.

Harvard Strategic Procurement is the key point of contact for vendors.  Specific questions regarding wages, benefits and paid time off may be directed to the Office of Labor Relations.