Happy People Make Good Beer

Photo by Stephen Chow

The first step to making and serving great beer is ensuring that the people behind the brand are happy. Knowing happiness and quality go hand in hand makes this recent milestone that much more exciting. We have been recognized as a Living Wage Certified company by the Alberta Living Wage Network. We are the first brewery in the province to receive this recognition.

WHAT IT MEANS TO BE CERTIFIED

We are committed to ensuring compensation for all of our staff meets the requirements of a Living Wage. This commitment extends to all our team members, including full-time staff, part-time staff, and any contracted professionals who collaborate with us.

UNDERSTANDING THE LIVING WAGE

But what exactly is a living wage? The Alberta Living Wage Network (ALWN) defines a Living Wage as what earners in a family need to bring home based on the actual costs of living in a specific community. It's rooted in the belief that individuals and families should be able to live with dignity and actively participate in their community.

HOW IS LIVING WAGE CALCULATED?

For some on our team, the Living Wage is achieved through a base salary. For front-of-house staff it requires a combination of an hourly wage and gratuities. Should the Living Wage change or an organization is found to no longer be compliant, they are given time to adjust policies and practices to maintain their membership.

LIVING WAGE VS. MINIMUM WAGE

To grasp the significance of a living wage, it's essential to differentiate it from the minimum wage. The minimum wage, as set by Provincial governments, is the minimum wage that employers must pay employees. For most, this value falls short of providing a sustainable income. In contrast, the Living Wage is determined based on the actual costs of living in a specific region, reflecting a more realistic minimum wage for sustainable living.

WHY IT MATTERS

There are many opportunities to enjoy and work within craft beer, so it's important to continue to ensure that when someone chooses to support us - either by joining the team or by purchasing our beer - they can feel good about that choice.

We're honored to be part of the Alberta Living Wage Network and look forward to continuing our commitment to our incredible team for years to come.