Beyond ethics, fair wages are good for business
At Onyx Coffee Lab, our mission is driven by four core values: quality, transparency, excellence and kindness. These principles have shaped our approach to coffee, sustainability, and — most importantly — how we treat our people.
As the cost of living continues to rise and economic discrepancies grow, the responsibility of businesses to ensure their employees are paid fairly has never been more pressing. Recently, Onyx Coffee Lab became the first business in Arkansas to achieve the highest certification from Living Wage For Us, formalizing its commitment to equitable pay.
This certification is a recognition given to employers who voluntarily commit to paying all employees a living wage. Living wage is defined as a wage that covers the basic cost of living in the area where the business operates, ensuring that employees can afford essential needs like housing, food, health care and transportation without financial strain. The certification is awarded by an independent, third-party organization that evaluates whether the wages paid by a company meet or exceed the minimum financial requirements needed for a worker to live a dignified, financially secure life, according to Living Wage For Us.
While Onyx Coffee Lab is proud to be Arkansas’ first to reach this milestone, it’s not meant to be a stopping point but rather a continuation of our commitment to our team. At Onyx Coffee Lab, we know that our success is built on the well-being of our people, and we’ve worked hard to create an environment where they feel valued, supported and compensated fairly.
In turn, employees are more likely to be engaged and motivated, which leads to high productivity and low turnover rates. In the hospitality industry — where hospitality is the backbone — the goal is for those positive effects to be passed along to each customer who walks through our doors.
Achieving this certification in the hospitality sector is particularly challenging due to traditionally low profit margins, market fluctuations and high operational costs. However, our strategic expansion into e-commerce strengthened our financial foundation, enabling us to invest in our workforce sustainably and ensuring that our growth benefits every team member. This strategic expansion reflects our approach to business, one that upholds our values without sacrificing our vision for growth and excellence.
Our team has been working with the Living Wage For Us team for more than a year on the certification process. It is rigorous and demands full transparency and accountability, ensuring that wage practices align with the real-world cost of living. It’s a meticulous standard that looks at the holistic welfare of employees, something that Onyx Coffee Lab stands behind wholeheartedly.
We are proud of what we’ve accomplished. At the same time, it’s just the beginning of our ongoing commitment to our team’s well-being and success. At Onyx Coffee Lab, we’ve experienced firsthand the positive impact on our employees, and we believe this model can work for others.
We encourage businesses across Arkansas to consider the advantages of participating in Living Wage For Us certification. It’s not just about meeting financial needs, it’s about fostering a thriving workforce that contributes to both business success and community well-being. By prioritizing employee welfare and leading with integrity, Arkansas businesses can set a new standard that enhances their success and builds a fair and practical future for everyone. We are excited to continue this journey, confident that our efforts will contribute to both our success and the greater good.
Editor’s note: Elan Bright is the finance and people director of Onyx Coffee Lab, where she oversees human resources and financial operations. The opinions expressed are those of the author.