This week, Azavea earned a spot on the ‘B Lab’s Best For Workers List’ for the second time since 2013.
The Best for Workers List honors Certified B Corporations that score in the top 10 percent of more than 2,400 Certified B Corporations on the Workers section of the B Impact Assessment. More than 10,00 businesses use the comprehensive assessment to measure their impact on their workers, community, customers, and the environment. The Workers section assesses a company’s relationship with its workers in areas like compensation, benefits, culture, flexibility, and ownership.
Azavea puts significant resources towards benefits and practices that support our employees’ personal lives. We believe outside interests and experiences improve productivity, creativity, and happiness at work. Many of these benefits are outlined on our Jobs page.
One of Azavea’s more unique policies, 80% Time, enables employees to work a reduced schedule of 32 hours a week. Some employees use this to manage temporary or short-term circumstances, such as a move or the birth of a child. Other employees choose to remain on 80% Time permanently to enjoy better work-life balance.
How Employees Use 80% Time
Shreshth Khilani managed to balance a love for theatre with his study of Computer Science throughout college. However, that changed after graduation: “Having a full-time job in fintech and no room to make art soon became emotionally taxing”. Shreshth joined Azavea on 80% Time in January 2018, and also writes, directs, and performs in self-produced theatre shows. 80% Time allows him to better prioritize his art making and well being.
Nathan Zimmerman switched to 80% Time to balance his job on the GeoTrellis team with the ‘Open Source Tools for GIS’ class he teaches at the University of Pennsylvania School of Design. His class has drawn a large number of applicants to Azavea’s Open Source Software Engineering and Summer of Maps fellowship programs. Nathan also feels it has also made him a better programmer. He says: “I like to think that I’ve learned as much from my students as they have from me. Teaching is a great way to isolate your weaknesses.”
Deb Boyer opted to switch to 80% Time after working at Azavea for eight years. “Azavea’s option to work 80% Time has allowed me to teach several college courses and spend additional time with my son while continuing my work as a Project Manager. I appreciate the company’s commitment to supporting employees as they pursue opportunities at home and outside the company.”
Our employees are key contributors to Azavea’s success, and we are proud to be included in the 2018 Best for Workers List. You can read more about the Best For The World criteria and view all 2018 honorees here.