Employee Health & Safety

Baseline Standards

• No worker exposure to toxins in production process (from dyes, cleaners).
• Appropriate air ventilation, lighting, and safety for workers.
• Clear and active procedures for working with dangerous machinery.

Preferences

• Ability of employees to determine working hours based on life needs.
• Support for employees dealing with work-related stress.

Fair labor

Baseline Standards

• All employees receive equitable compensation for equal work.
• Active solicitation of employee input in decision-making.

Preferences

• Clear top-to-bottom pay ratio (e.g. top executive salary does not exceed the lowest-paid employee salary by predetermined ratio) that indicates fair distribution of income among workers.
• Benefits include paid vacations, flexibility/time off/breaks, childcare and eldercare provided or leave provided, pension plan, disability insurance, and health plan.
• Processes and policies to support active participation of workers in management.
• Profit-sharing plans and/or worker ownership.
• Women and minorities represented in all levels of operation and Board of Directors.
• All staff receive peer performance evaluations.
• Comprehensive employee training.
• Scholarship program or subsidies that support employee education.

Workplace ecology

Baseline Standards

The company should…

• have systematic recycling program in the office;
• actively encourage employees to use mass transportation, bike, or walk.

Preference

• retrofit facilities for energy efficiency and make consistent and broad use of energy-efficient lighting.
• use Fair Trade and organic food and cleaning supplies, as appropriate.
• evaluate opportunities for telecommuting within business operations.