Wage and Benefit Parity Policy (WBPP)

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 in 2002. 

Working closely with our on-campus suppliers, as well as our sourcing managers, we continually seek to ensure that contracted custodial, retail dining, and security service workers at Harvard receive total compensation (defined as wages, health and pension benefits, and paid time off) comparable to that offered to corresponding University employees. Harvard requires that: 

• wages paid to supplier employees are equal to those paid to Harvard employees in the corresponding service sector; 
• supplier employees receive the same benefits and paid time off as Harvard employees in the corresponding service sector; and, 
• suppliers participate in the University’s Bridge to Learning and Literacy Program.