Santa Clara County's Living Wage Policy requires county service contractors to pay minimum living wages and provide health benefits. The policy covers contractors providing services to the county, not hotels broadly, which fall under city wage rules.
Santa Clara County's Living Wage Ordinance under Board of Supervisors policy 5.4.4 requires county service contractors holding agreements over $100,000 to pay covered employees at least the county-set living wage (currently around $25.27 per hour with health benefits, $26.52 without, indexed annually) plus paid time off. The policy applies to direct service contractors and franchisees providing services on county property. Hotels generally fall outside the ordinance unless they directly contract with the county for lodging or event services. San Jose's Living Wage Ordinance (Municipal Code Chapter 25.11) similarly applies to city contractors. Sunnyvale and Mountain View have similar contractor-focused living-wage policies. Hotel workers in these cities rely on city minimum wage rather than living-wage rules.
Contractor violations of SCC Living Wage Policy result in payment withholding, contract termination, debarment for up to three years, and back-pay liability. Employees may file complaints with SCC Office of Countywide Contracting Management or pursue private claims.
See how Palo Alto's hotel living wage rules stack up against other locations.
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