Businesses know that as Portland’s population continues to grow and become more diverse, competitiveness will be increasingly determined by the ability to serve these markets well. A business’ commitment to a more socially sustainable community produces loyal customers and motivated employees; they help create a more vibrant community, and a stronger marketplace.
Sustainability at Work is piloting a new checklist category: Social Impact. In our first year, we are starting with a survey, in lieu of a checklist, to gain a better understanding from the business community about what actions and resources would work best for you and create the most meaningful impact in our community. We are also providing an initial list of practices and resources, below. Our goal is to support you in building strong relationships with your employees, customers, and community; and in contributing to their well-being. This is a key part of making Portland a truly sustainable city. We welcome your ideas and suggestions..(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Human health and happiness is a community issue, not just a personal one, because healthier people have greater opportunities to learn, play, think and innovate. Employee job satisfaction and health are supported through sound practices around well-being, equity, human development and culture.Draft checklist actions include:
1. Provide professional development opportunities to all staff.
2. Provide an incentive for employees to improve or maintain fitness and health.
3. Learn about succession planning options.
4. Have a formal indoor air quality policy.
The City of Portland defines diversity as including but not limited to race, ethnicity, social class, gender, religion, ability, age and sexual orientation. Companies that encourage and support diversity in the workplace inspire all of their employees to perform to their highest ability.
Draft recommended actions include:
5. Encourage and support Diversity-Development for owners, managers and employees.
6. Offer your employees flexible/compressed work schedules (e.g. four 10-hour days) and/or telecommuting options at least one day per week. Give employees flexibility around their work schedule so that they can foster a healthier work/life balance. Allow employees to choose between a traditional 8 hour/5 days per week, a 10 hour/4 days per week, or 9 hour/9 days per two-week schedule. You may not be able to offer this to every employee (e.g., you may need someone to staff your reception desk every day of the week), but you should be as aggressive as possible with flexible schedules and make the option accessible to the majority of your staff. We know that a key indicator of human health is a living wage job, and to get that job, people need quality education or training. Likewise, to build a strong education system, we need a thriving local economy.
Some resources include:
Community Support in the business context is framed around relationships: Relationships with your customers, employees and their families, partners and suppliers, and the neighborhood and community where your business is located.
7. Sponsor a community event, not-for-profit or fundraiser with employee time, in-kind products, services or direct financial contribution.
8. Sponsor or support local programs that provide instruction or support of youth.
9. Offer your company’s meeting or event space to a local community or not-for-profit at reduced rental rates or for free.
10. Offer a matching gift program.
11. Ensure that one employee or owner per 25 employees serves a role in a community group or function that relates to your business and/or customer base. Businesses with 1 – 24 employees should have at least one participant.
12. Ensure that one employee or owner per 25 employees serves a role in a community group or function that reflects the interests of the neighborhood in which the business is located. Businesses with 1 – 24 employees should have at least one participant.
13. Award twenty percent of paid contracts to Minority or Women owned Businesses.