Why paying a Living Wage matters at HiBoop

In this short blog, Samantha Muir, Director of Operations at HiBoop explains why they became a Living Wage Employer, and the benefits they’ve found from being part of the program.

HiBoop is a Victoria-based mental health technology company building tools that help clinicians, organizations and communities better understand mental health through data - without losing the human side of care. We’re a growing team of 10 passionate humans who care deeply about impact, equity and doing things differently (and better!).

We have been a Living Wage Employer since 2025. Paying a living wage felt less like a “policy decision” and more like a reflection, and alignment, of our values. Before we even had a product, or a logo with a boop in it, we knew we couldn’t build a company focused on improving mental health while ignoring one of the biggest drivers of stress: financial insecurity.

Paying a Living Wage wasn’t a box to check or a future goal, it was foundational. If we want people to bring curiosity, care and creativity to emotionally complex work, they need stability, not anxiety about rent or groceries. Mental health is shaped by systems not just symptoms, and fair pay is one of the most tangible ways employers can make a real difference.

Since becoming a Living Wage Employer, we’ve noticed real, positive changes in our workplace - not just in retention or productivity (though those matter), but in how people show up. When people aren’t constantly calculating whether they can afford their basic needs, they have more space to think, create, collaborate and care for their work and for each other. Conversations are more open. Burnout is easier to spot early. Trust grows faster.

We also pair our living wage commitment with:
Comprehensive health benefits for all employees, including extensive mental health coverage
Five weeks of vacation, because rest is not a reward, it’s essential

Flexible, supportive work hours - we recognize that life doesn’t run on a perfect 9-5 schedule

In a company that talks about mental health all day, every day, we believe our internal practices should reflect the same compassion we’re advocating for externally. 

Paying a Living Wage doesn’t just benefit our team, it strengthens the local economy, helps families thrive and contributes to a healthier community. We’re proud to be part of a movement that’s making a difference across Victoria. As a company that partners closely with clinicians, non-profits, and community organizations, this feels especially important. Mental health doesn’t exist in isolation - it’s shaped by systems, policies and everyday realities of people’s lives.

We encourage others to join us in becoming Living Wage Employers. Together we can create a fairer, more sustainable future for everyone. Certifying as a Living Wage Employer is a voluntary commitment employers make to invest in their communities and local economies. There are now over 450 Living Wage Employers across BC.

The Living Wage is the hourly amount someone needs to earn to pay for basic essentials like food and rent, it doesn’t include paying off debt or saving for retirement. The Living Wage for Victoria, BC is $27.40 an hour.

To learn more about HiBoop, their work and the values that guide how they build, visit them at https://hiboop.com/.