Eleven Guelph and Wellington employers have added their names to the list of recognized Living Wage Employers after making the commitment to pay their employees at least $16.50/hour.
This brings the total number of employers that have signed on to the program to 22, which means 2,250 employees in Guelph-Wellington are now guaranteed to make at least a living wage.
Julia Grady signed on with Barking Dog Studios in 2015, and added 10C to the list this year.
“From a value’s based perspective, paying a living wage to our employees makes sense,” Grady said at the Nov. 1 Guelph-Wellington Living Wage Employer Recognition event.
“We’re working to shift our business model to make sure we can align with the program. We’ve only had positive feedback and impacts for both Barking Dog and 10C.”
Included among the 11 employers recognized as living wage employers, are:
– 10 Carden Shared Space;
– Blais Electric;
– The Boardroom – Guelph’s Game Cafe;
– DUCA Financial Services Credit Union Ltd.;
– Family Counselling and Support Services for Guelph-Wellington;
– Flow Office Wisdom;
– Guelph Family Health Team;
– Guelph General Hospital;
– Guelph Independent Living;
– Transition Guelph; and
– Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health.
The Living Wage is a conservative estimate of what two full-time working parents need to earn hourly to raise two children.
The local living wage is $16.50 per hour.
This number is calculated through a rigorous and reviewed process that is vetted nationally by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.
The local living wage conversation has been spearheaded by the Poverty Task Force who are now reaching out to all employers encouraging them to sign on.
“Most living wage studies have focused on why paying a living wage is the right thing to do,” said Guelph and Wellington Task Force for Poverty Elimination (Poverty Task Force) coordinator Randalin Ellery.
“We agree, but we also (see) the clear business advantage of doing so. We feel strongly that paying a living wage is good for business because employees are more reliable, stable, and happy, when earning a decent wage.”
The Poverty Task Force is encouraging all employers to review their salary grids and wherever possible, ensure that staff are earning a living wage or more.
Companies interested in committing to a living wage are invited to connect with the Poverty Task Force through Randalin Ellery at 800.265.7293 x 4359 or by email at randalin@gwpoverty.ca.
