Employee benefits

Five Winds International has a benefits package that covers basic life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment, dependent life, long-term disability, extended healthcare (which includes a drug plan) and dental care. Packages vary depending on the country of operation (e.g., Germany, U.S. and Canada) to reflect standard practice in those countries. The package extends to all full-time employees, their families and same-sex spouses.

Profit-sharing

At the end of each year, Five Winds International reviews profitability and divides profits based on the following formula: employees - 23.75 %; directors - 23.75 %; contingency fund - 23.75 %; company - 23.75 %; pro bono work - 5%. Five Winds also offers spot bonuses to recognize outstanding performance-e.g., sales leaders who win big projects; proposal writing efforts; etc.

Employee education and training assistance

One of the core principles of Five Winds International's Vision and Values Statement is that the company is a learning organization that supports personal and professional development. Five Winds lives out this value by: providing professional training to staff in conjunction with the company's annual retreat; providing reimbursement for courses related to a study program; allowing employees to take time off to pursue courses and take exams. Study programs and courses are approved on a case-by-case basis and must be related to Five Winds' line of work.

Employment equity

Five Winds International does not have a formal employment equity policy. However, advancement and salary increases within the organization are based on merit, and the company will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on religion, race, gender, disability or sexual orientation.

Employee wellness

One of the key social commitments of Five Winds International's Vision and Values Statement affirms that "we recognize that our employees have different social and home situations, which we will accommodate through the provision of flexible working hours and opportunities to work at home as appropriate, and to take summers off, if desired. The terms of these arrangements will be agreed to as part of contract negotiations and will take into consideration client and business needs." It is up to employees to bring these needs to the attention of the company's human resources department.

Five Winds offers flexible work schedules to accommodate the personal needs of its employees, which include bereavement leave, and parental leave of up to 35 weeks. It also states that: "We will strive to create a work environment in which accomplishments are recognized, constructive criticism is encouraged, problems are addressed quickly, and the open exchange of ideas is fostered." Processes are in place for employees to discuss grievances with the company, and an ombudsperson has been appointed.

Charitable donations and giving

Five Winds International's Vision and Values Statement commits the company to provide its employees with four (4) hours of paid time per month to participate as volunteers in organizations that contribute to the social fabric of the communities in which the company operates.

Each year, we will provide the equivalent of a half person-day per employee to a country, region or group that could not normally afford our services. This activity will be aimed at helping these areas of the world improve the environmental, social and economic performance of their industries and governments.

Five Winds will develop linkages with training/educational institutes in a variety of countries and provide them with materials to support their industries to shift to more sustainable forms of production.

Volunteering in our community

"Your life and mine should be valued not by what we take... but by what we give."
-- Edgar F. Allen, founder of Easter Seals

Through the Five Winds International Employee Volunteer Program, employees are encouraged to volunteer their time to community-based environmental and social endeavours and can contribute up to four hours of paid time per month. While simultaneously enhancing local communities, this valuable experience allows our employees to develop a wide range of skills that are transferable to the work place.

Over the last year, our employees billed 175 hours to the company for work on volunteer projects with the following organizations:

Scouts Canada
Canadian Standards Association's Standards Policy Board
Net Impact Chicago Professional Chapter
US Green Building Council Chicago
Chicago Sustainable Business Alliance
Chester-Ridley-Crum Watersheds Association
Connecting Organizations for a Responsible Economy (CORE)
Colorado Mining Association (CMA)
Boy Scouts of America
Wildlands Restoration Volunteers
Children's Foundation of Guelph
U.S. Green Building Council, Delaware Valley Chapter
Greater Philadelphia Green Business Program
Water Footprint Network
Initiative for Global Environmental Leadership at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School