Fair Pay for Quality Care

Direct care workers – about 90 percent of whom are women – struggle to support themselves on an average of $17,000 per year, leading many to rely on public benefits. In fact, most home care workers are paid less per hour than the typical veterinary assistant.

These inequalities are reinforced by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), a federal law which excludes home care workers from basic wage and overtime protections. But home care workers aren’t the only ones struggling to make ends meet; all direct care workers deserve a living wage. Read more about fair pay for quality care (pdf).

 

Let's Make Things Right

Secure a Living Wage & Overtime Protections

The Direct Care Alliance empowers direct care workers to advocate for themselves, making their voices heard in the fight for fair pay. We believe policymakers can help ensure fair pay for direct care workers by extending protections to home care workers through the Fair Labor Standards Act and increasing wages for workers compensated through Medicare and Medicaid. We are:

 

Direct Care Workers' Fight for Fair Pay

  • 1938 – 2001: FLSA enacted; provides basic wage and overtime protections to most workers but excludes “domestic service workers.” After long struggle, many direct care workers are covered by FLSA protections but home care workers remain excluded.
  • 2007: Supreme Court hears case brought by home care worker Evelyn Coke against her employer for thousands of dollars in back pay. Court rules against Ms. Coke; confirms DOL’s authority to exclude home care workers from FLSA protections.
  • 2007: In response to Coke ruling, Direct Care Alliance passes resolution to help win FLSA coverage for home care workers.
  • 2008: DCA calls on President-elect Obama (pdf) to improve wages for direct care workers, including FLSA protections.
  • 2009: DCA calls on U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis (pdf) to extend FLSA protections to home care workers.
  • 2009: DCA works with members of Congress to submit letter asking Secretary Solis to overturn worker exemption from FLSA.
  • 2009: 15 U.S. Senators agree, submitting a companion letter to Secretary Solis. One day later, Secretary Solis reports that DOL is looking into whether the exemption should be overturned.
  • 2009: DCA and direct care workers visit DOL to urge them to extend FLSA protections to home care workers.
  • 2010: DCA and PHI launch the Campaign for Fair Pay, urging DOL to extend FLSA protections.
  • 2010: DOL adds FLSA fix to regulatory agenda; DCA submits letter of support.

 

Additional Resources