The Journey to Becoming a Certified B Corp: Workers’ Well-Being at the Baja Hotel
Photo by Colin Meg via Unsplash.
This article was originally posted on Medium in collaboration with Conscious Brands on November 20, 2023.
The Baja Hotel’s Flourishing Transformation Through Workers’ Well-Being
In the second part of the B Corp certification journey for the newly acquired Baja Hotel, Lesley and Rob delve into the critical “Workers” section of the B Corp Impact Assessment (BIA). This section evaluates how the company addresses its employees’ holistic well-being, covering financial security, health, wellness, safety, career development, and employee engagement. The Workers section of the BIA is rigorous, and for good reason: people are the heart and soul of any business. In their conversation, Lesley and Rob navigate the intricate details of the assessment, discussing their approach to various aspects of workers’ well-being as it relates to the Baja Hotels mission*.
Financial Security
Lesley and Rob began by addressing workers' financial security concerns. They emphasized the importance of offering fixed salaries to provide stability and predictability in employees’ lives. They also touched on the use of independent contractors, outlining a commitment to limit such arrangements to less than 20 hours per week for a period not exceeding six months.
The discussion moved to the company’s business model, with the duo expressing aspirations for an ownership structure that empowers all employees. While this is currently a goal, the duo highlighted their commitment to providing high-quality jobs, especially for individuals facing chronic barriers to employment.
Health, Wellness and Safety
Ensuring employees’ well-being, especially regarding healthcare coverage, was a priority for the Baja Hotel. They discussed the combination of the country’s (Mexico) universal and private healthcare systems and affirmed their commitment to providing coverage for most workers.
The conversation extended to additional benefits, including a government-sponsored retirement program and plans to explore private pension options collaboratively with employees. The company is also looking into providing financial literacy programs to enhance employees’ understanding of personal finance.
Career Development
Lesley and Rob tackled questions related to professional development, emphasizing their commitment to nurturing and developing the workforce's capacities and resiliency through ongoing training, internal promotions, and cross-skill training. They discussed the importance of listening to employee feedback through regular reviews and mentioned the intention to formalize these processes further.
Employee Engagement and Satisfaction
The dialogue concluded with a focus on employee engagement and satisfaction. The Baja Hotel demonstrated a commitment to non-discrimination policies, supplementary benefits for all workers, and a goal to offer subsidized childcare in the future. The conversation touched on worker empowerment, feedback mechanisms, and plans for benchmarking and formalized impact reporting.
Connecting it Back to The Canvas
As Rob and Lesley meticulously navigate the Worker’s section of the B Corp Impact Assessment (BIA) for the Baja Hotel, it’s clear that their approach is rooted in a robust strategic planning process using the Flourishing Business Canvas (FBC).
As seen in our previous posts, the FBC encourages deep anticipation of challenges and how to address them through collaboration and communication. Ultimately, the FBC guides businesses to define their higher purpose, ensuring that every decision and action contributes to a positive impact. This purpose-driven approach is at the heart of B Corp certification and sustainable/regenerative business practices, demonstrating how well-aligned and complementary the frameworks are.
Key takeaways from their strategic planning discussions using the canvas included:
Holistic well-being and approach
Consideration of ownership structures
Building the resiliency of its workers
Impact on the local economy
Focus on employee development
Cultural sensitivity and inclusion
Continuous improvement and benchmarking
As Rob and Lesley move forward with completing the BIA, their strategic planning using the FBC serves as a solid foundation, reinforcing that sustainable/regenerative business practices are not just a checklist but a fundamental aspect of an organization’s identity and impact.
Final Thoughts
As Baja Hotel progresses through the B Corp Impact Assessment worker section, it becomes evident that their commitment to holistic well-being goes beyond meeting basic requirements. Incorporating SDGs, innovative workforce development models, and a keen focus on employee feedback sets the stage for a comprehensive and impactful B Corp certification journey.
In the next part of this series, we will explore the environmental impact assessment, examining how the Baja Hotel aligns its practices with sustainability goals and further its commitment to social and environmental responsibility.
*Mission: Welcome to Baja Hotel, where we are committed to providing our guests with a regenerative and transformative experience. We believe in co-existing with our host community and deeply value indigenous voices and all stakeholders. Our mission is to foster local environmental and cultural impact and set a new standard for responsible tourism. We actively practice reciprocity and listening in service of our community. We invite you to join us on this healing journey.
Rob Sinclair is the founder of Conscious Brands, a firm that helps organizations transition from shareholder governance to stakeholder-driven organizations. Lesley Robb is the founder of Swell Impact, a firm specializing in branding and sustainability strategies for the tourism sector. Together, they openly explore holistic business models by prioritizing play over perfection and co-creating community.
