Facebook raises minimum wages for staff

Facebook has announced it will be offering its supporting contractors and vendors in the United States an improved set of benefits.

According to a press release by Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook's chief operating officer, the company has rolled out a new set of standards on benefits for their contract workers which includes a $15 minimum wage and a minimum of 15 paid days off for holidays, sick time and vacation.

Additionally, new parents who did not receive any paid parental leave would get a $4,000 new child benefit, allowing both women and men to have the flexibility to take paid parental leave.

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Some of Facebook's largest support teams at their Menlo Park headquarters have already gotten a taste of the new standards of benefits since 1st of May and the company is will be working to implement the new standards with a broader group of vendors within 2015.

"Taking these steps is the right thing to do for our business and our community. Women, because they comprise about two-thirds of minimum wage workers nationally, are particularly affected by wage adjustments. Research also shows that providing adequate benefits contributes to a happier and ultimately more productive workforce," Sandberg said.

"We are committed to providing a safe, fair work environment to everyone who helps Facebook connect the world. This is an important step forward in this work for us."

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