ClaraDerma+: Certified Living Wage Employer
The Niagara Poverty Reduction Network is pleased to announce that ClaraDerma+ has become a certified living wage employer at the Champion level. ClaraDerma+ is a medical aesthetics clinic dedicated to helping patients address their skin needs using a variety of preventative measures, corrective treatments and patient education. They are based in St. Catharines and currently employ five full time, three part time and three contract staff.
“Being a living wage employer is not only beneficial to our staff’s quality of life, but also beneficial to the business as a whole when the people working here are happy to be a part of the team. Our clinic’s tagline being “your concern is our concern” does not only apply to our clients/patients. We strive to be understanding of all situations and want what’s best for our clients as well as our staff’s well-being. The morale of our company is important to us and we believe you should be excited to come to work! Whether it’s the people you work with or the actual work you do, you spend more than half your life working so make it good! Providing a living wage is part of that mentality as we strive for personal growth and development,” says ClaraDerma+ co-owners Alicia Yap and Olenka Allison.
“Over 25 employers across Niagara have now chosen to become living wage certified,” says Glen Walker, Chair of the Niagara Poverty Reduction Network. “We are very pleased to see so many local employers who recognize the value and benefits of paying at least a living wage.”
A living wage reflects what earners need to be paid based on the actual costs of living and being included in the community. A living wage is not the same as the legislated minimum wage. It is a voluntary commitment that employers can make to compensate directly-employed and contract-employed full-time and part-time workers. The 2018 living wage for Niagara region has been calculated to be $17.99/hour. If an employer’s total compensation package includes benefits such as dental and prescription drugs, the living wage can be lowered by about $1.50/hour. Learn more about Niagara’s living wage at www.wipeoutpoverty.ca
Niagara-area employers interested in becoming living wage certified can contact the Ontario Living Wage Network for more information at www.ontariolivingwage.ca
