A living wage is the hourly wage a worker needs to earn to cover their basic expenses and participate in their community.
A living wage is not the same as the minimum wage, which is the legislated minimum all employers must pay and is set by the provincial government. The living wage reflects what people need to earn to cover the actual costs of living in their community. The living wage draws on community-specific data to determine the expenses to a family with two working adults and two children. Living wage employers voluntarily decide to pay a living wage and maintain their certification as new rates are calculated for their area.
Why is it important?
Employers paying a living wage experience: improved reputation of the business, better relationships between management and staff, decreased employee turnover and absenteeism, increased retention and productivity, and savings on rehiring and retraining. Employers can use the living wage as a tool within their recruitment strategy for lower paying occupations. Additionally, long-term, stable, happy employees lead to better relationships with customers, which aids in growing a business.
Employers that pay a living wage are not only supporting their employees, they are helping to build strong, thriving communities. When employees don’t make a living wage, they face impossible choices — buy food or heat the house, feed the children or pay the rent. The result can be spiralling debt, anxiety, and long-term health problems. In many cases it means that the adults in a family are working long hours, often at two or three jobs, just to pay for basic necessities. Employees that earn a living wage can face fewer of these stressors and employers can be confident they are not keeping their employees in poverty.
Join us in celebrating our newest Certified Living Wage Employer here in Niagara, Dörken Systems Inc in Beamsville. Thank you to their wonderful team for supporting this initiative and for their leadership and commitment to fair wages in our community!
After 125 years in over 60 countries, Dörken has built its reputation as leading air and moisture barrier manufacturers, delivering innovative, high-performance building envelope solutions that provide superior protection for commercial and residential applications. If you are interested in learning more visit: www.dorken.com/en/
Become a Living Wage Employer!
It’s a quick and easy process to get certified and show your commitment to offering a living wage for your staff. Check out this employer guide to learn more or contact a member of our team via info@workforcecollective.ca.
Learn more about Decent Work
Beyond fair pay, what else can you do to ensure you are creating the best possible work environment for your team? Visit our Decent Work page to learn more or contact us at info@workforcecollective.ca.
Connect with Ontario Living Wage Network
Championing and showcasing the growing wave of living wage initiatives in Ontario, OLWN is a network of employers, employees, non-profits, researchers, and proponents of decent work standards for all Ontario workers. Visit Ontario Living Wage Network to learn more.
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