After more than a year of collaboration, thorough deliberation, and strategic planning amongst community stakeholders in Indianapolis, EmployIndy launched the Good Wages Initiative (GWI) in April of 2022 as a way to celebrate and showcase Marion County employers that are committed to providing full-time employees both a wage of at least $18/hour and access to health insurance benefits. Marion County businesses have two options to participate as a GWI employer via Certified and Committed statuses; Certified GWI employers pay all employees $18/hour or more and offer access to health benefits. Committed status is then available to employers who do not yet meet the wage and benefits threshold of Certified status but have an active plan to do so within the next two years.
Since the initial public launch, 49 local companies have pledged their participation in the initiative, spanning multiple industries and organizational sizes. Of those 49 businesses, 48 are recognized as Certified Good Wages Initiative Employers of Choice, including DB Services.
DB Services was founded in 2003 by CEO Kevin Hammond and began as a software development firm focusing on providing FileMaker solutions and consulting services. Over the years, DB Services has grown to incorporate more technologies, such as Salesforce and Amazon Web Services, and grow its staff, allowing the organization to increase its offerings and expand its presence in industries worldwide.
DB Services was introduced to GWI through its partnership with EmployIndy. The organization has called Indianapolis home for 19 years, and the city has helped DB Services to grow into the powerhouse software firm that it is today. As a result, the company is always looking for ways to support and give back to Indianapolis and the surrounding areas.
“GWI’s efforts to attract not only new talent to individual companies but new business to Indianapolis can only better our city’s economic growth and sustainability. Consequently, DB Services decided to participate in the Good Wages Initiative because it just made sense,” says Ben Colter, HR Generalist at DB Services. “GWI helps us to promote our brand and services so that DB Services can continue to build more relationships with other local initiatives, companies, talent pools, and business partners.”
When the COVID-19 pandemic began, DB Services transitioned to a mostly remote environment. The hybrid workspace has understandably impacted the culture of the company yet DB services still strives to continuously show its dedication to its clients and employees. By implementing new communication channels, updating its work policies to allow for more flexibility, and pushing for even more peer-to-peer activities, DB Services has been able to promote an authentic atmosphere where employees are encouraged to take time for themselves and engage with the team as a whole.
“By investing in our employees with sustainable wages and benefits, we KNOW we will see the benefits. Employees will experience less stress in their everyday lives, improving their efficiency at work and their overall well-being both inside and out of the office,” says Colter. “Employees who know that they can seek medical treatment without it costing an arm and a leg will actually go to the doctor. We are keeping our workforce healthy and safe which, in turn, helps our organization meet deadlines and increase productivity.”
Beyond wages and medical insurance, DB Services offers additional insurance coverage, such as dental, vision, and life insurance as well as short-term and long-term disability coverage. The company also invests in its employees’ future by matching 401(k) contributions up to 4%.
DB Services is continuously evaluating its strategy for compensation and benefits through annual reviews and accounting for external factors like cost of living increases. In addition, the organization reviews industry compensation data periodically to ensure that it is offering truly competitive compensation. DB Services also offers compensation increases in certification programs so that employees are rewarded for bettering themselves.
DB Services exemplifies what it means to be a Certified Good Wages Initiative Employer of Choice. By continuously investing in its employees, the company serves as both a leader and advocate by providing wages and benefits that improve an employee’s quality of life and help to make a difference in the community.
To learn more about DB Services, visit https://dbservices.com/.
To learn more about GWI, visit https://goodwagesindy.org/.