In 2014, the International Living Future Institute launched a social justice transparency platform and disclosure tool. The Just Program framework helps organizations assess progress across six areas of social impact including diversity and inclusion, equity, human health and well-being, employee benefits, community stewardship, and responsible purchasing. When organizations complete a Just Program submission, they are eligible to earn the Just Label. The Just Label helps communicate valuable information about the organization’s level of commitment to their employees and their ability to foster a thriving organizational culture.

The Just Program can be leveraged as a powerful recruiting tool and enhances both candidates’ and organizations’ abilities to determine best-fit matches. The Just Label especially helps organizations attract millennials, as this generation has shown a preference to work for organizations that demonstrate high levels of corporate social responsibility. Since the millennial generation has consistently shown a preference to work for organizations whose values align with their own, it is reasonable to suggest that those organizations that excel at diversity, equity, and inclusion will be particularly attractive to this cohort.

There is evidence to suggest that employees are more fully engaged when employers are transparent about all aspects of business operations including corporate strategy, human resources management, sustainability initiatives, operating principles and values, leadership succession and planning, financial health, product development and innovation, philanthropic priorities, and stakeholder engagement practices. A transparent work environment leads to greater trust, and trust in an organization is paramount to its success. While a high level of trust can improve retention rates, it also encourages employees to become more actively involved in problem-solving. When employees feel connected to the organization and mission, they can fully embrace their professional roles and see themselves within the larger context of the organization, leading to greater success for all.

The Just Program offers participating organizations a tool to improve on existing gender equity practices and initiatives. Practically, the Just Program allows for specific performance assessments such as female participation in senior leadership, gender pay gap calculations across all pay classes, the provision of paid gender-neutral family leave, the provision of a robust retirement savings plan, and the implementation of a living wage. Further, the Just Program advocates for organizations to focus explicitly on developing a culture of inclusion.

Version 2.0 of the Just Program was launched at the Living Future unConference in May of 2019. Just 2.0 complements existing sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs such as B Corp and Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). The Just Program allows for recognition of existing certifications, standards and performance awards. For instance, with the Equitable Purchasing Indicator, Just seeks to recognize organizations that commit to minimum levels of goods and services procurement from certified disadvantaged businesses. These certified disadvantaged businesses include Minority-Owned, Women-Owned, or Veteran-Owned Small Businesses. More information about the Just Program can be found at https://living-future.org/just/

Written By

Francis Janes

Francis is the JUST Manager for ILFI and works with organizations worldwide to support their efforts to become more socially just, equitable and inclusive. Francis helps organizations through the process of developing progressive policies, program and practices that lead to more engaged, happier and more productive workplaces.