A Just Office
5.16.25 | Erik Tellander | Social Justice
William Rawn Associates is proud to have earned the International Living Future Institute’s JUST Label.
The Just label is a voluntary program for organizations to elevate internal discussions, policies, and procedures, as well as create a common language and measurement framework for social justice issues. Created by ILFI (International Living Future Institute), the Just label process requires companies to undertake an in-depth and honest look at our operations, at all levels, from employee culture to financial investment, to assess our commitment to social justice and equity in the workplace. The process is rigorous and requires organizations to disclose a range of metrics across key areas, including:
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Employee Benefits
- Equity
- Stewardship
- Employee Health
- Purchasing and Supply Chain
Participating firms submit documentation every two years and are evaluated across 22 indicators, with four levels of performance, offering a clear snapshot of their current social impact. By participating in Just, we are not only committing to transparency, but we are also using feedback from the exercise to continue improving our workplace environment and contributing positively to our community.
We view the Just label as a continuous journey rather than a one-time certification. The feedback and insights from the program guide our ongoing efforts, helping to create a more equitable and inclusive workplace over time. We at William Rawn Associates believe that a commitment to these values is a moral imperative and a common sense business practice. By enhancing employee satisfaction and attracting top talent with greater diversity, we strengthen our reputation in the marketplace and promote skills that produce exceptional design and client experiences.
“The Just Label provides a useful template with which our firm can continually assess our personnel and workplace policies and improve our social equity and employee engagement.”
The rigorous review process has taught us where we are and where we can do better. We’ve implemented more volunteer-day opportunities and expanded our charitable giving to encourage community engagement. This process also highlighted opportunities for improvement, which we took by formalizing a mentorship program to support employees and creating targeted recruitment strategies to increase diversity. These initiatives align with our values and reinforce our dedication to accountability and continuous improvement, both internally and externally.
Just has been a critical tool in driving positive change, fostering a healthier and more inclusive workplace, and demonstrating our commitment to corporate social responsibility. Meaningful changes take time to implement, but the results—improved employee morale, enhanced organizational culture, and stronger community impact—are well worth the effort.
Our label is publicly viewable on the International Living Future Institute’s database.