The benefits of paying fair wages to workers

Why do we support an increase to minimum wage and why do have an organizational commitment to pay a living wage?

A good relationship starts with a balance of power. Each participant needs to feel valued, understood and appreciated.

We are an IT consulting company and our business is built on healthy relationships. Those relationships begin with our relationship with staff. When our staff are treated with respect, and provided with fair remuneration for their work, those values are passed on to our clients.

We are a small business. We have 24 employees in two locations: Waterloo and Winnipeg. The majority of our clients are not-forprofit organizations that have a great need for IT solutions, are given limited funding for an IT budget, and have a strong desire to enter into effective business relationships.

We help these organizations perform their jobs more effectively through the use of technology.

Since we are passionate about helping others, our financial bottom line is not the only driving force in the way we do business. We also are accountable to environmental and social bottom lines. Maintaining a healthy balance between our triple bottom lines is not always easy.

Entering our 21st year in business, maintaining and sustaining a profit is difficult. Running a small business is hard work.

That being said, we believe in our employees and understand that if they are unhappy, we have no business.

We pay above living wage (see livingwagewr.org), offer a comprehensive benefit package, provide flexibility with scheduling and working from home options, give training, paid sick days, purchasing discounts, and the option of becoming an owner in the company after two years of employment.

In return, we have a staff that contributes directly to the operational effectiveness and direction of the company, show respect for each other and their clients, exhibit honesty and integrity in all areas of business, and are committed to the success of this company.

The staff commitment at PeaceWorks means that we can learn and grow with each other, we can invest in education and not in re-training, and we can maintain long-term relationships with our clients with continuous service.

I can personally attest that our staff, treated with fair compensation, leave work and continue to contribute to our community in positive ways.

Without having to worry about getting a second job, wondering where their next meal will come from, or stressing about rent costs, our staff are volunteering at shelters, relief agencies, religious institutions, environmental initiatives, cultural clubs, and much more.

For me, and for PeaceWorks, staff engagement means longterm sustainability and viability. I challenge any small business, or business of any size, to treat your employees with respect, provide fair compensation and growth opportunities and then watch the commitment that you will see in return. It is invaluable.