From Wages to Well-being: The Importance of being Living Wage Certified

Working in the social impact space means that we believe in being the change you want to see in the world. And a world we want to see is one where every employee is supported to not only live, but to thrive. Which is why, in 2022, Briteweb proudly became a certified Living Wage employer in British Columbia and Ontario.

A living wage is a basic human right; it’s the right for working individuals to afford a reasonable standard of living for their families. Unlike minimum wage, which is the legislated minimum set by the provincial government, a living wage calls on employers to provide wages that reflect the true cost of living in their respective communities.

Living our values is at the heart of everything we do, which means we prioritize putting our people first. Which is why, since the beginning, we’ve been striving to raise the bar for our team by providing wages that are above industry standard. Becoming Living Wage certified only furthers our commitment to fostering a sustainable, supportive and equitable work environment.

As a certified Living Wage employer, we’re holding ourselves accountable to meeting or exceeding the regional living wage for our employees and contractors. Plus, as a Certified B Corporation, we’re also held to high standards of accountability and transparency on factors such as employee benefits and wages.

Living wage is about more than just money. It’s about creating a working environment where everyone feels welcome, empowered, and embraced. As a people-first agency, we know that providing a living wage is a baseline requirement for fostering the health and overall well-being of our employees.

When it comes to ending poverty, we all have a responsibility and a role to play. The Living Wage certification calls on employers like us to meet a higher standard. We encourage even more employers to step forward and make a positive change to benefit the lives of employees and their families.

Becoming Living Wage certified is a reasonably quick and easy process that more employers could easily explore. Those interested in becoming certified in B.C. or Ontario will need to:

• Agree to ensure that all employees and contractors are paid the current living wage rate for their area.
• Depending on size, employers will be asked to submit an application form or an implementation plan.

To learn more about the application process and get started on your Living Wage certification journey, you can start by visiting the Ontario Living Wage Network or Living Wage for Families BC.