Hello to my newly-minted B Lab Global team!
Happy Easter Monday and end of Passover to those who celebrate and happy spring to those in the northern hemisphere 🌼
This week's B Keeper covers a plethora of recent job postings, an update on our 2021 compensation adjustments, a recap of the Global Network Assembly, and a friendly reminder to take some time off if you haven't done so lately. We all need some time away from our screens!
💖 Cassy
|
|
Dispatches from People & Ops
|
|
Update on April 2021 compensation adjustments
We have just confirmed adjustments for the April 2021 cycle! See video update from Olivia here and/or read on for the details.
In the past we have used flat or org-wide base increases but this year all increases will be on an individual basis. Given that we are just beginning to live into our new compensation structure (i.e. new levels and steps), you may notice some differences from years past. We are making adjustments to a new compensation structure, which means that this compensation cycle is focused on alignment.
What does this mean for staff?
- A big shift in compensation does not mean you were underpaid before. We underwent months of role alignment conversations between staff and managers in order to help us realign given a new structure we did not have before. As a result of those conversations, many staff have stepped into new roles or roles that better align with their actual work, which often have compensation adjustments as well.
- For similar reasoning, a smaller shift in compensation does not mean you are not doing a great job. Remember, we are just aligning with a new structure!
- If you were hired recently, your salaries were determined using the updated compensation structure. You will be eligible for the next full compensation review in April 2022.
- If you have been at B Lab for less than one year, we acknowledge that you are under your 12 month mark and have made slight adjustments accordingly. You will be eligible for the next full compensation review in April 2022
- Compensation reviews within the same role happen one time per year (April). If you are promoted or change roles at another point in the year, those adjustments will be made at that time.
- The changes we've made to compensation are forward looking. We focused on aligning to the new structure we created rather than addressing compensation from years past, in an effort to ensure that all staff are fitted appropriately into our new structure.
We know that there will be imperfections and growing pains throughout this process. We are managing many factors including rejoining the Trust, Global, and POps, expanding employment into new countries, and supporting US/Can independence, and many others that will continue to evolve. At the same time, we know that compensation is a deeply personal and important issue for staff. As we navigate this together, we ask that you continue to ask questions, leading with your intent, so that we can get to alignment together.
What’s up next:
- This week there will be a share out of individual compensation from managers to direct reports.
- We still have work to do to refine the steps within the levels for different job families.
- We need to measure how things are working through engagement/pulse surveys, exit surveys, candidate surveys, and questions from staff.
- We still need to deepen our global compensation work, which will be a priority this year.
Thank you to everyone who has participated in this process! Please talk with your managers and/or submit a FreshDesk ticket with questions.
|
|
When's the last time you took a day off?
 Believe it or not, as of this week, the first quarter of 2021 is already behind us 🤯 Which is a good excuse to check in:
A little bird (her name is Namely) told me that the average employee has only taken or scheduled 4 hours of personal/sick time and 36 hours of vacation time thus far. That's less than one personal/sick day and roughly 4.5 days of vacation taken or scheduled for all of 2021. 28 percent of staff have yet to take or schedule any vacation time - and that number increases to 64 percent for personal time 😱
For those of us who have been with B Lab for over one year, don't forget that you can take time off for professional development and volunteering too! So far, all eligible staff combined have taken/scheduled less than 14 hours of VTO and less than 7 hours of PDTO.
Need I remind you that 2021 is just as exhausting as 2020?! Give yourself a Zoom break and submit a PTO request in Namely this month 🤗 Refer to the policies here:
|
|
The engagement survey closes this week!
The first engagement survey of 2021 closes this Sunday and we've only reached 38% participation! Perhaps you're wondering, why should I participate? How will my feedback (or absence of) matter? What do y'all do with this data anyway?
Great questions! Here are a few reasons:
- This survey has a reporting minimum of 3 in order to protect confidentiality, meaning that we will never be able to see data/comments with less than 3 responses. This is great for confidentiality, but can impact data utility especially for small teams. B Lab Global has 4 teams with 5 or fewer people. If one or two people on those teams decide not to fill out the survey, the data for the entire team will not be visible.
- We are using engagement surveys as a key tool for measuring progress toward our Enabling Objectives. Our operations teams (e.g. P&C, Internal Tech) have begun mapping questions in this survey to their respective Enabling Objectives, so your feedback will have a direct impact on our ability to achieve our goals.
- Following the closure of this survey, I will be shepherding us through a response process with org leadership, team leadership, people managers, and all staff. At each step, I will encourage us to use the data collected to ask ourselves tough questions and make data-informed priorities for better supporting our staff. I want your feedback to be part of the data that informs those conversations.
Fill our your survey this week! It should only take about 20 minutes to complete.
|
|
We're hiring!
Share the opportunities below with your networks! We're all one or two degrees away from job-seekers :) We anticipate collecting applications for ~2 weeks for each role.
This is also a great opportunity to update your employer on LinkedIn (make sure it's B Lab Global, not B Lab US/Canada!) so you are notified when new jobs are posted.
Currently live:
- Finance Associate (Philadelphia)
- Lead Product Manager, Impact (Philadelphia)
- Global Social Media Manager (London)
- Staff Attorney (Philadelphia)
- Standards Analysts (3) (Melbourne)
- US/Can BD Tech Associate (Philadelphia)
- US/Can BD Coordinator (Denver)
Up next:
- US/Can PR Senior Manager (NYC/Oakland preferred, open to Denver/PA)
Find out more about these positions on the B Lab job board. For more information on how to submit referrals & how to find your personal referral link to promote specific job(s) on social media, read this FreshDesk article.
|
|
Updated Computer Policy
B Lab provides all employees with a working computer. The computer remains the property of B Lab and must be returned if the employee separates from B Lab or is on an extended leave of absence.
An updated explanation of the computer policy can be found on Freshdesk, and outlines acceptable use of B Lab computers, maintenance and security, and updating/replacing your B Lab computer. We encourage you to to read the full, updated computer policy here.
|
|
Shiny new slide deck template ✨
As a result of our recent brand strategy work, we now have an updated slide deck template and illustrations to go along with it! All B Lab Global staff are welcome to use this template for creating presentations.
|
|
|
Questions for us? Submit a ticket (or use the lightning bolt ⚡on Slack!)
|
|
|
This digest is intended to highlight our work, share how it's making an impact, and help us stay connected to our vision/mission and to each other.
|
|
Recap of the Global Network Assembly
We are truly grateful to every single one of you who participated in the Global Network Assembly (GNA) with such positive energy, curiosity, passion, and commitment to our collective vision.
Three important reminders:
- This is just the beginning! We will continue to grow and evolve as a Network and through future events like this.
- We cannot do this alone. Events like the GNA demonstrate our strength when we align and work together towards our shared goals.
- Share your feedback with us!
To read all the key takeaways from the GNA, check out this Slack post in #global-announcements.
You can find recording of the town hall on Thursday as well as all pre-recorded video updates (covering theory of change, strategy, and structure) in Thinkific here.
If you missed any session, or want to catch it again, you can find all the recordings and materials on the event site, under the Session Materials page. You can also find templates, primary decks, and the photo library on the Global Portal.
|
|
B Lab US/Can launches White House Initiative this week
Led by Holly, the US/Can team is moving quickly on a new project started in late last year in partnership with the U.S. Impact Investing Alliance, which has recommended to the Biden-Harris Administration that they form a White House Initiative (WHI) on Inclusive Economic Growth to be housed at the National Economic Council. The team proposed that the WHI focus on two important and intertwined topics: stakeholder capitalism and community investing.
In late January, the team brought on a government relations firm (FGH) with the support of the Skoll Foundation to help get the WHI off the ground in a three month sprint. Those plans are now really taking off, and they are publicly launching the WHI on Wednesday!
The launch event will be live-streamed on US/Can's social channels and will feature Darren Walker from the Ford Foundation, Andrew Kassoy from B Lab Global, Fran Seegull from USIIA, and Rachel Carlson from B Corp Guild Education.
|
|
B Climate Tools Base launched
The B Global Climate Task Force has launched a B Climate Tools Base in collaboration with climate experts at Oxford University! This Tools Base is the B Corp movement's very own one-stop shop for helping companies find the world's best resources to support business action on climate. See Kim Coupounas' (US/Can) full announcement on Slack.
|
|
|
Is this section missing an important highlight? Tag us on Slack using #bkeeper or tell us directly.
|
|
|
Events & Opportunities
Engagement Survey open
March 29-April 11
B Lab US/Can White House Initiative Launch
April 7, 12pm ET
The launch will be live-streamed on B Lab US/Can's social channels.
The Atlantic's Progress Report: The State of the Black Community
April 15, 11:30am ET
The Atlantic is convening social justice advocates, economists, scholars, and others to outline how we can harness 2020’s cultural momentum to enact systemic changes that will create a more equitable America.
Vaccines: What you need to know
April 21, 12pm ET
Join TouchCare and Dr. Nancy Mimm DNP, MSN-BS, APHN for up-to-date facts & precautionary tips to keep you & those around you safe during this time of transition. This event is US-focused but includes helpful information about vaccines generally.
|
|
Resources & Reminders
📝 Schedule a vacation or staycation!
Believe it or not, as of this week, the first quarter of 2021 is already behind us 🤯
How many vacation days have you used this year? Take some time off - you deserve it! Have you taken a mental health day if you're feeling burnt out? Put that unlimited personal time to good use!
Give yourself a Zoom break and submit your requests in Namely this week 🤗
|
|
Best for Last 🎉 Staff Passion Projects
Happy April! This month we'll be sharing some of our staff's "passion projects" outside of their jobs at B Lab, so we can celebrate their efforts, share our support, and get to know our colleagues beyond the "walls" of B Lab.
|
|
|
|
Name: Arame Niang
Team: Certification & Verification (Formerly Standards Review)
Project: Wurus Body Butter
"Wurus Body Butter is a joint venture I run with my cousin in Senegal. We have three goals:
- Youth Unemployment and Underemployment in Senegal: The majority of our ingredients are sourced from young suppliers in Senegal. A percentage of proceeds in the future will be used to invest in youth employment opportunities.
- Added Value to Agricultural Goods Produced on the African Continent: We take raw materials from Senegal and other West African countries and make the final products ourselves. This disrupts traditional economic exchanges that have historically underdeveloped African markets.
- Fighting Against Prevalence of Skin Lightening Creams: My cousin first started making her own body butters and lotions because it was hard finding skincare products in Senegal that did not have skin lightening agents. Wurus encourages everyone to love their natural skin and our products help keep the skin soft and full of shine."
Arame shared news of her business venture on Slack, and since then several colleagues have tried her products for themselves. Olivia (P&C) shared that she loved the ability to customize her own fragrance and found this body butter to be smoother and creamier than others she's tried. "I have used other butters that are too oily and inconstant, but the butter blends well and is nice at all temps. I also notice a healing quality. Some blemishes on my arm are diminishing with moisturizing."
Grab your own and share with your friends on Instagram!
|
|
|
Name: Taisa Hewka
Team: People & Culture
Project: Stained glass
Taisa started learning to make stained glass about two years ago after a close friend inherited tools from his grandfather. What started as a budding interest in playing with colors, textures, and light in a new way has since turned into a passion project that helps her disconnect from work and reconnect with friends and family.
"All of the elements that go into this art - between the design & the color theory, and the acts of breaking, sanding, soldering the glass - all exercise my brain in ways that give me respite from the virtual work week. Working on a stained glass project can be both peaceful and frustrating - glass loves to have its own plans for where and when it will break! - but the reward is worth it," she said.
 "I've since learned that my sister used to make stained glass 20+ years ago and I’ve inherited her tools, along with some green milky glass left over in her supply bin. It’s a hobby that my husband and I both contribute to - sometimes separately/individually, sometimes together - and it’s been really nice to put our interests & strengths together to create some cool things," she said.
Taisa and her husband, Gavin, started off making small pieces, but quickly moved onto more ambitious projects like piece they created together to hang over their wedding ceremony last year. They also recently finished a house number that hangs over their front door, featuring the glass gifted by her sister.
"A friend recently shared a list of nature words that aren’t captured in the English language, one of which was the Japanese word komorebi 木漏れ日 which loosely means 'the filtered sunlight that shines through the trees.' When I learned this word I instantly thought of how stained glass interacts with sunlight. The different ways that a single piece in a window will reflect light at different times of the day is really fun and fascinating to me."
Check out photos of Taisa's projects here:
|
|
|
|
|
