Boston's Living Wage Ordinance requires city contractors and certain subcontractors, including some hotel-related service vendors, to pay covered employees a living wage rate set annually by the Living Wage Advisory Committee.
Adopted as Ordinance 1997 c.6 and codified at Boston Code Ch. 4 §4-1 (commonly cited as Ord. 14-1 in modernized versions), the law applies to contractors with city service contracts of $25,000 or more and to non-profits receiving $100,000+ in city assistance. Each year the Boston Office of Workforce Development publishes the adjusted hourly rate, which exceeds the Massachusetts statutory $15.00 minimum. Covered hotel work most often arises when the city contracts conferences, lodging, or hospitality services. Covered employers must post the rate, keep payroll records, and submit certified compliance reports.
Noncompliance can lead to contract termination, debarment from future city contracts for up to three years, repayment of underpaid wages, and civil penalties enforced by the Boston Living Wage Division.
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See how Boston's hotel living wage rules stack up against other locations.
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