University of California, Irvine
PA-12: Employee Compensation

N/A

The lowest paid regular full-time or part-time employee at UCI is the Custodian at $17.82/hour (pay range minimum). UCI provides a benefits package to this group of employees worth 78.3% of salary or $13.95/hour. The total compensation (including wages and benefits according to survey) for the lowest-paid regular workers is $31.77/hour, which is 151% of living wage.

Living wage calculation for Orange County, CA for 2 Adults, 2 Children, is $21.09 (as of November 12, 2020; http://web.archive.org/web/20201112020147/https://livingwage.mit.edu/counties/06059).

In July 2015, University of California announced a new minimum wage plan for UC employees. Titled the “UC Fair Wage/Fair Work Plan," the program guarantees that by October 2017 UC employees hired to work at least 20 hours a week be paid at least $15 per hour. California’s current state minimum wage is $13.00/hour. Due to high cost of living within Orange County, California, the living wage calculation for Orange County, CA for 2 Adults, 2 Children (according to MIT Living Wage Calculator – see Part 1 above), is currently $21.09/hour (between 40% and 60% more than UC’s fair wage plan and California’s minimum wage).

STAFF EMPLOYEES
UCI pays all employees at least $15.00/hour, and pays 83% of staff employees a wage that is equal to or greater than the living wage for Orange County of $21.09/hour. In addition, UCI provides a benefits package to the lowest paid staff employees worth 78.3% or $13.95/hour. The total compensation (wages and benefits) for the lowest-paid workers at $17.82/hour is $31.77/hour, which is 151% of living wage.

ACADEMIC PERSONNEL
UCI academic appointees are paid at least the minimum rate of the systemwide UC salary scales which is currently $21.32. Faculty receive merit increases and promotions based on a campus scale, which represents a higher, market-based rate. Additionally, UC Irvine conducts an annual pay equity study for faculty. In addition, UCI provides a benefits package to the lowest paid academic employees worth 53.4% of salary or $11.38/hour. The total compensation (wages and benefits) for the lowest-paid academic workers at $21.32/hour is $32.70/hour, which is 155% of living wage.

On an annual basis, the University reviews the market in relationship to its non-represented salary ranges to determine if the salary range minimums and maximums need to be adjusted.

Individuals working at 50% time or more for a minimum of one year receive full benefits during the first month of employment. The employee’s share of medical premiums is calculated on an income-sensitive basis, with lower-paid employees receiving the largest employer subsidy. The vision and dental plans are fully paid for by the University. An eligible employee who has exhausted all paid leave due to a serious illness or injury or because the employee is caring for a seriously ill family member may apply for catastrophic leave which allows for the continuation of salary to minimize financial hardship.

The representative point used for this credit was winter 2020. This is in alignment and consistent with the timeframe used for all Wellbeing & Work credits (2019-2020); per credit criteria. In November 2020, MIT’s Living Wage Calculator listed the local living wage for 2 Adults, 2 Children as $21.09. We developed our responses for this credit based off of this living wage and 2020 UCI wage data.

The most recent year total compensation for the institution’s lowest-paid workers (including contractors, if applicable) was evaluated to ensure that it was sustainable:
2015 when UC implemented $15.00 UC Fair Wage/Fair Work Plan. See web site at
http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/fairwage/index.html

The website URL where information about the institution’s compensation policies and practices is available:
ttp://policy.ucop.edu/manuals/personnel-policies-for-staff-members.html