Pay Differential

JudyRoy

We have direct care workers in our residential homes. Two of the homes have clients that require a higher level of care. In these homes we pay a 25 cent per hour differential in pay. In other words, if their regular rate is $8.50 per hour those employees working in these two homes make $8.75 per hour. However, if they work any other location, their pay reverts back to $8.50. Problem: we have five workers who do not work at any other location, so they feel that their holiday pay, vacation pay, and sick pay, should be at the increased rate of $8.75. Others, who work in different locations besides the two special houses, work at different rates; $8.50 at other locations, $8.75 at the special locations. Their vacation and holiday pay are no problem as they are paid at the $8.50 rate. Only those who work exclusively at the special locations are upset because they are paid 25 cents less per hour for holiday and vacation pay. Do we have to pay them the extra 25 cents because this is the only location that they work? We are not paying them at the higher rate now, but they are continuously complaining about it.

Don D

You should pay the higher rate only for hours worked, not for holiday and vacation days. This is no different from the second and third shifts at our plants being paid a shift differential. They only are paid the extra differential for hours WORKED. Holiday and vacation pay reverts to the base rate. To do otherwise is unfair to your employees who work in other areas of the facility. If they are disatisfied, tell them to check around town and they'll find that manufacturing firms do the same thing with their second and third shifts.