Resources - Workplace
Locally owned businesses have the power to create sustainable
economic growth and strong communities by investing in their
employees. Business owners who create a supportive work environment
emphasizing health, safety, fairness, and flexibility are rewarded
by increased employee productivity, loyalty, reduced turnover and
operating costs, and a strong reputation in the community.
One MTJC business member has created a rewarding work experience
company culture by establishing a work environment without a rigid
hierarchy in which employees are rewarded for initiative. In
addition, all employees sit on the board of directors.
How to Create a Supportive Workplace
Understand and comply with local, state, and federal
labor statutes
Adopt work life practices that help employees balance work with
personal lives. Work life issues address the need for
employees to care for children and elderly parents, pursue outside
interests, and avoid commutes. Work life business practices
include maternity, paternity, dependent care leave, flexible work
schedules, job sharing, compressed workweeks, telecommuting,
subsidized day care, time off for parent-teacher meetings, and
sick-child days.
Encourage Continuing Education and Training for Employees -
One local company reimburses employees up to $500 per year for
college level courses, which are directly related to an employee's
present responsibilities.
Create an employee handbook - An employee handbook is a great way
to educate employees about your core business values and policies.
Typical employee handbooks include the information
on the following topics: work schedules, equal employment opportunity,
diversity/harassment, payment periods, promotions, overtime, bonuses,
vacation, sick leave, child/elder care, health care, leaves of
absence, drugs, alcohol, conflicts of interest, use of company
property, privacy, and safety.
Design a fair system of compensation -
Create a policy of wages and
benefits that is competitive in your industry and at least meets
the basic financial needs of living in our community. In a Working
Partnerships report (April 2000) on the effects of a proposed living
wage ordinance in Santa Cruz and Watsonville, a $14 per hour living
wage was suggested to be enough to keep a single parent with one
child out of poverty. Consider additional compensation policies
such as a health insurance, 401(k) matching, gain sharing, paid
time off, and spouse and domestic partner benefits.
Diversity and harassment (see MTJC brief "Diversity and Your Business")
Employee training and empowerment -
Create a system of training and
career development that rewards work experience
while increasing productivity. Cultivate a work culture
where employees are encouraged to make decisions and be creative.
Encourage volunteering and community giving -
Inspire volunteerism
by taking on a flagship cause in the community and encouraging
employees to participate. Match employee contributions or offer
time off once a month for volunteering. See our brief on "Community
Investment" for more information.
Layoffs and downsizing - Consider layoffs as a last resort. Try
alternatives such as cutting expense accounts, reducing travel,
freezing wages, assigning redundant employees to new tasks, all
around wage reductions, lending employees to another business, or
offering time off without pay. If you decide to layoff employees,
approach the situation with open communication and consider fair
severance compensation and notice.
Promote alternative commuting -
Reduce traffic congestion and improve
air quality by encouraging employees to bike, carpool, or take
public transportation. The
Santa Cruz Area Transportation Management
Association offers a variety of resources
to local employers including information on alternative commutes,
carpools, bike safety, subsidies for electric bikes, and he emergency ride
home program. Try using creative rewards for alternative
commuting, one local organization enters employees into a raffle
and another offers cash rewards.
Workplace Resources
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