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Building Justice in the Workplace

Building Justice in the Workplace. Bill Rowe NC Justice Center September 2010. Who We Are.

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Building Justice in the Workplace

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  1. Building Justice in the Workplace Bill Rowe NC Justice Center September 2010

  2. Who We Are The North Carolina Justice Center is a Raleigh based advocacy and research organization. Our mission is to end poverty in North Carolina by working to ensure that every household has access to the resources, services and fair treatment it needs to achieve economic security. The Justice Center works to improve the lives of low- and moderate-income North Carolinians through five main strategies: Litigation Research & Analysis Advocacy Community Education Communications

  3. Presentation Overview A Thriving Local Economy The Great Recession A Winning Workplace Building a Successful Business Together Building a Vibrant Community Together

  4. Community Infrastructure Spending Wages Employers/ Business Workers/ Consumers A Thriving Community Capital

  5. A Thriving Community • Vibrant main streets • Adequate and stable tax base • Good schools • Safe neighborhoods

  6. Before the Great Recession • North Carolina workers were struggling to make ends meet. • Jobs lost during the recession of the 2000s still had not returned or been replaced. • Earnings were lower than at the beginning of the business cycle.

  7. Before the Great Recession:Shared Challenges • Rising costs • An Unfair Tax System • Balancing Family/ Work Responsibilities

  8. Before the Great Recession: County-level snapshot * Two minimum wage earners earn combined $14.50 per hour

  9. The Great Recession: Impact on Workers Unemployment in North Carolina

  10. The Great Recession: Impact on Workers

  11. The Great Recession:Impact on Small Business

  12. The Great Recession:Impact on Small Business • From the first quarter to the fourth quarter of 2008, the growth in small firm openings was 3.6 percent. • From 2003 to 2007, private loans to small businesses in NC declined by 8.1%. • 109 percent increase in business bankruptcies from 2000 to 2008.

  13. The Great Recession: Shared Impact Jobs Lost in North Carolina

  14. The Great Recession:Shared Impact

  15. The Great Recession:Shared Impact

  16. Profitability at all Levels • Business success depends on quality work • Productivity & quality of work depends on healthy, rested, well-prepared, & motivated employees • Research shows that when workers believe they are treated fairly, they trust the organization and its leaders more and are more loyal and committed

  17. Create a Winning Workplace • Increased Recruitment and Retention Rates • Improved Customer Service • Increased Productivity • Decreased Absenteeism

  18. Create a Winning Workplace • Supporting the health of lowest-level employees • Training and career advancement at every level of company • Providing incentives at the bottom of the ladder • Engaging low-skilled workers in operational decisions

  19. Higher Commitment: Study by Corporate Voices for Working Families found that commitment/engagement is 50% higher for lower income workers who have flexibility compared to those who don’t. Reduced turnover: After implementing leave and flexibility policies, turnover at a car manufacturing plant decreased from 15-20% to approx. 3% Increased Productivity: Dancing Deer (baking company) put in place a stock-option program in which all employees participated. In one year, sales increased by 74% and stock options increased in value by 40% Proof that these strategies work

  20. Opportunities • Explore implementing flexibility—scheduling, leave, time banks—for employees • Improves retention, productivity of employees • Ex: paid sick time, combined PTO, child care opportunities, telecommuting • Consider boosting wages—improves employee commitment & engagement in company. And has consumer spending ripples in local economy.

  21. Building Vibrant Communities Together • The quality of life and vitality of communities is determined by the well-being of employers/ businesses and workers/ consumers. Ex. Foreclosure > Homelessness & Vacant Housing > Decline in Property Values > Decline in Property Taxes > Lower Investment in Schools > Lower Educational Attainment > Less Quality Job Creation > Lower Wages > Foreclosure • Supporting workers and employers will build a more vibrant, productive and healthy community

  22. Contact Information: Bill Rowe NC Justice Center Ph: (919) 856-2177 bill@ncjustice.org

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