The core of Wake Robin’s mission is to “create a sustainable dynamic community.” The Corporation recently achieved this goal through a major event. The Board of Directors unanimously supported Wake Robin’s leadership team’s decision to increase all 225 staff members pay by $2 an hour, thereby raising the minimum wage for entry level workers to $15 an hour. The change took effect in July.
This increase represents a significant investment by the non-profit organization in its people and their livelihoods. “This is huge,” one staff member said. “It was a complete surprise, and a welcome one. With cost of living always going up, Wake Robin took a big leap on behalf of its employees, and it’s a future my family and I look forward to sharing with this community.”
CEO Martha Maksym personally shared the good news with staff during group meetings throughout the day. “I am so happy we could increase our minimum wage to $15. It was a goal of mine by 2023, but circumstances pushed us to move more quickly. Our staff deserve the bump! They have been heroic during the past 18 months keeping Wake Robin safe and healthy.”
Wake Robin is committed to contributing to the state-wide discussion on the importance of hospitality and healthcare workers and continues to be a leader in the industry. The wage increase will make Wake Robin stand out as a premier employer, one who truly values its staff and invests in its long-term financial health. As organizations seek to fill many positions, this new policy from Wake Robin invites dedicated and compassionate individuals to join its workforce, receiving a livable wage even before the state of Vermont requires it.
Director of Human Resources Anne Levesque reflected: “We should care for our staff as they care for others. Ensuring that our employees feel valued is vital to us, and this pay increase for everyone shows that they mean so much for the success of Wake Robin now and into the future.”
