7. Workforce Empowerment

INTENT

The intent of the Workforce Empowerment Indicator is to foster transparent systems that solicit and incorporate employee input into decisions that impact the workforce and the organization as a whole, and to support the right and effort of employees to self-organize and/or unionize.

METRICS

Level 1

1. Organization has a written policy that documents its commitment and approach to workforce empowerment.
   

Level 2

1. Organization has a written policy that documents its commitment and approach to workforce empowerment.
2. Organization has protocols in place to 1) seek employee input from across all departments and functions to inform policy decisions, 2) report back on how employee feedback was used, and 3) resolve employee concerns.
   

Level 3

1. Organization has a written policy that documents its commitment and approach to workforce empowerment.
2. Organization has protocols in place to 1) seek employee input from across all departments and functions to inform policy decisions, 2) report back on how employee feedback was used, and 3) resolve employee concerns.
3. Organization demonstrates internal support and encouragement of employee participation in fair negotiations as well as employee self-organization and/or unionization for collective bargaining purposes.
   

Level 4

1. Organization has a written policy that documents its commitment and approach to workforce empowerment.
2. Organization has protocols in place to 1) seek employee input from across all departments and functions to inform policy decisions, 2) report back on how employee feedback was used, and 3) resolve employee concerns.
3. Organization demonstrates internal support and encouragement of employee participation in fair negotiations as well as employee self-organization and/or unionization for collective bargaining purposes.
4. Organization demonstrates advocacy for employee self-organization and/or unionization for collective bargaining purposes.
   

ALTERNATIVE COMPLIANCE PATH – Employee-Governed Organizations

Level 4

1. Organization has a written policy that documents its commitment and approach to workforce empowerment.
2. Organization has protocols in place to 1) seek employee input from across all departments and functions to inform policy decisions, 2) report back on how employee feedback was used, and 3) resolve employee concerns.
3. Organization is a worker-owned cooperative or an employee-owned business that demonstrates that it is employee-governed.
   

SUMMARY TABLE

Table 7a – Workforce Empowerment Metrics