Certification Standards

These Certification Standards ("Standards") govern the requirements an applicant ("Client") must meet to be evaluated for, and awarded, the "Officially Culturally Recognized" certification awarded by Agency Workplaces, LLC, a California limited liability company ("Company"). These Standards are incorporated by reference into the Agency Workplaces Terms & Conditions. These Standards apply consistently to every applicant, regardless of size, geography, industry niche, or any commercial relationship with the Company.

1. Purpose

The Agency Workplaces certification recognizes agencies that meet a verified standard of workplace culture, as measured through anonymous employee feedback. The certification is awarded annually to agencies that satisfy the criteria set out in these Standards.

2. Definitions

AW Survey. The Company's proprietary employee survey used to measure workplace sentiment.

Culture Score. The numerical score generated from AW Survey responses, expressed as a percentage.

Recognition Threshold. The minimum Culture Score required to receive certification, currently set at sixty percent (60%).

Program Year. The twelve-month period beginning on the Effective Date.

Effective Date. The date Client completes payment for the Program.

3. Eligibility

To apply for certification, Client must:

Have a minimum of eight (8) full-time and/or part-time employees, excluding contractors, per diem workers, and temporary staff.
Operate as a marketing agency, creative agency, advertising agency, public relations agency, or related professional services agency.
Be a legitimate operating business with a verifiable business presence, including a registered business entity, public-facing website, and identifiable leadership.
Agree to provide an accurate and complete employee roster for survey deployment.

4. Application Process

Client begins the certification process by purchasing the Program and accepting the Terms & Conditions. Once payment is complete:

Client submits a complete and accurate employee roster within seven (7) days of the Effective Date.
The Company deploys the AW Survey to all employees on the roster.
The AW Survey remains open for fourteen (14) days from deployment.
Upon close of the survey, the Company calculates the Culture Score using the methodology set out in Section 7 and notifies Client of the result.

5. Participation Requirements

A minimum percentage of Client's employees must complete the AW Survey for the Culture Score to be considered valid:

Small Agency (8 to 20 employees): 50% participation.
Medium Agency (21 to 100 employees): 40% participation.
Large Agency (101+ employees): 30% participation.

If participation falls below the required threshold, a Culture Score is not generated and Client is disqualified from certification for the current Program Year. Client forfeits any refund or credit if the participation shortfall results from Client's failure to provide an accurate roster or to allow employees to participate freely.

6. Survey Integrity Rules

To preserve the integrity and credibility of the certification, Client agrees to the following rules:

Survey participation must be entirely voluntary.
Client shall not offer rewards, incentives, gifts, or compensation tied to survey completion or to specific survey responses.
Client shall not impose punishment, retaliation, or pressure on employees in connection with their participation, non-participation, or the content of their responses.
Client shall not coach, instruct, or guide employees on how to answer AW Survey questions.
Client shall internally promote the survey in a neutral manner to ensure broad and representative participation.

Violation of any Survey Integrity Rule results in disqualification for the current Program Year and forfeiture of any refund or credit.

7. Scoring Methodology

The Culture Score is calculated from anonymous employee responses to the AW Survey using the Company's proprietary scoring methodology. The methodology applies a consistent set of weighted criteria across all applicants. Aggregated responses are reviewed for statistical validity before a final score is issued.

The same scoring methodology and the same Recognition Threshold apply to every applicant. No applicant receives modified criteria, weighted adjustments, or bonus consideration based on size, industry, geography, or commercial relationship with the Company.

8. Selection Integrity

To preserve the trust and value of the certification, the Company does not consider any of the following in awarding recognition:

Personal relationships between Company personnel and Client personnel.
Gifts, hospitality, or any form of consideration outside of the standard Program fee.
Client's media presence, marketing spend, or industry profile.
Any factor outside of the Culture Score itself.

The Company applies these Standards consistently and without discrimination to all applicants who meet the Eligibility Requirements.

9. Recognition Awarded

Clients meeting all Eligibility, Participation, and Survey Integrity requirements and achieving a Culture Score at or above the Recognition Threshold are awarded "Officially Culturally Recognized" status for the applicable Program Year and receive:

The Official Recognition Badge for that Program Year, governed by the Badge Usage Guidelines.
A featured profile on the Agency Workplaces Index (AWI).
Inclusion in the Company's official press release for the Program Year, subject to Client's opt-out right under Section 10.

10. Opt-Out of Public Recognition

Client may opt out of public recognition (including the AWI profile and press release inclusion) by providing written notice to the Company within fourteen (14) days of the Effective Date. The opt-out election is final for the Program Year and does not affect Badge usage rights.

11. Disqualification

Client is disqualified from the current Program Year and forfeits any refund or credit if Client:

Fails to meet the participation requirements set out in Section 5.
Violates the Survey Integrity Rules set out in Section 6.
Provides false or misleading information in the roster, application, or any related communication.
Misuses the Badge or the recognition in violation of the Badge Usage Guidelines.

12. Re-Application After Recognition

Clients who achieve recognition may not re-apply for new recognition status until at least nine (9) months have passed from the date of their most recent qualification. This restriction preserves the annual integrity of the certification.

Clients who do not achieve recognition in a Program Year may re-apply at any time, subject to standard Program fees and Eligibility requirements.

13. Updates to These Standards

These Standards are designed for stability. Changes are made only to clarify language, correct errors, or reflect material updates to the certification methodology. Material changes are communicated to active and prior Clients in advance of taking effect.

The Standards in effect on the date of Client's payment govern Client's current Program Year regardless of subsequent updates.