Virginia Commonwealth University Health System is increasing its minimum hourly wage from $12 to $15 for hospital and clinic employees, the company announced Tuesday..
Next month, 1,700 employees and contractors at the Richmond, Virginia-based health system—10% of the workforce—will get pay raises.
"Every single one of them contributes to a patient's care experience, whether it's by providing comfort and kind words behind their masks, a hot meal, clean sheets and so much more," Paula Henderson, chief human resources officer at VCU Health System, said in a news release.
The legal minimum wage in Virginia is $9.50 an hour but it's slated to rise to $12 by 2023.
"We are pleased to support our team members in this way and provide an extra boost to metro Richmond's economy," VCU Health System CEO Art Kellermann said in a news release.
VCU also is offering financial assistance for part-time workers who take college courses.
