It’s no secret that many companies don’t pay their employees a living wage. In fact, some workers are paid less than minimum wage, and others are paid only slightly more. So when a company claims to pay its employees a “living wage,” it’s definitely something to take notice of.
One company that has been in the news recently for its high wages is Hobby Lobby. The craft store chain has been praised by some for its starting salary of $15 an hour, which is well above the minimum wage in most states.
So, does Hobby Lobby really pay its employees a living wage? The answer is a bit complicated.
First of all, it’s important to note that the $15 an hour starting salary is not available to all employees. In fact, only full-time employees are eligible for the higher wage. Part-time employees start at $9 an hour, which is still above minimum wage in most states but not enough to support a family on.
Secondly, the $15 an hour wage is not guaranteed. It’s possible for employees to earn less than that if they don’t meet certain productivity goals. And while the company does offer health insurance and other benefits, they are not available to part-time workers.
So, while Hobby Lobby does pay some of its employees a living wage, it’s not available to all workers and it’s not guaranteed. For many workers, the company is still not paying a wage that would allow them to support themselves and their families without assistance from government programs or other sources of income.
