By Shay Castle
Boulder Daily Camera, Nov 9, 2016
... "We really feel it's important as a company to support all our employees so that they can continue to live in Boulder or close to Boulder," said Stephanie Carter, co-owner of Boulder's Wallaroo Hat Co."We like to see all those dollars go back into the community."
The company, a Boulder Chamber member with 12 full-time employees, has always paid a dollar or two above minimum wage, at least, and gives employees a raise every year.
Carter said her already well-compensated employees will get raises in concurrence with the growth of the mandated state minimum.
"It's a huge expense, but companies can afford to do it," she said. "It's sort of like taxes. It's just the cost of doing business."
Kevin Daly, who operates the Mountain Sun and Long Peak Pub restaurants in Boulder and Longmont, agrees with that sentiment.
"A good viable business in the free market should be able to support a living wage," he said. "If not, is it really a viable business?
Daly and other entrepreneurs contend higher wages can actually save them money in the form of reduced turnover and increased productivity.
"We spend thousands of dollars training people, so we don't want them jumping ship," said Scott Baker, owner of Longmont's Icebox Knitting.
The 22-year-old company has always paid more than minimum wage to its 15 or so employees. To Baker, it's a matter of creating a positive work environment.
"If you're paying more, they'll pay attention more, have a more vested interest in the business than just coming in at 6 and leaving at 2," he said. "They feel they've got a voice and if they say something they're listened to." ...
Copyright 2016 Daily Camera