Our People
Procedures for local hiring
In an ongoing effort to recruit qualified local employees, we post positions on local job web sites such as Worksource (WA) and Idahoworks (ID). In addition, we submit our external job postings to 88 agencies across Washington, Idaho, Oregon and Montana. As appropriate, we also notify local schools of student employment opportunities.
Of the 13 executive level officers employed with Avista, eleven were hired locally.
Percentage of employees eligible to retire in 5-10 years
(full pension)
December 31, 2015 (5 years) = 26%
December 31, 2020 (10 years) = 45%
Avista does periodic assessments of future retirement scenarios to anticipate how to attract, retain and develop critical talent needed for the effective operation of the company.
Total workforce by employment type
| Fulltime |
1,390 |
| Part-time |
76 |
| Temporary |
27 |
| Student |
18 |
| Other |
22 |
Percentage of employees covered by collective bargaining agreements
At Avista, 44 percent of employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements and 56 percent are not.
Percentage of employees receiving regular performance reviews
All regular, non-bargaining unit employees receive formal performance reviews on an annual basis and updates at mid-year. Our union employees receive periodic evaluations as needed.
Composition of governance bodies and breakdown of employees by gender, minority group membership
Board of Directors
18 percent female
No directors identify themselves as a minority
Corporate Officers
23 percent female
No officers identify themselves as a minority
Of the top 5 executive officers: 2 are female
Employees
30 percent female, 70 percent male
6.3 percent identify themselves as a minority
Avista’s employee population demographics are aligned with the available external workforce for similar occupations.
Coverage of defined benefit plan obligations
The company has a defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all regular full-time employees at Avista Utilities. Individual benefits under this plan are based on the employee’s years of service and average compensation. The company’s funding policy is to contribute at least the minimum amounts that are required to be funded under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, but not more than the maximum amounts that are currently deductible for income tax purposes. The company contributed $48 million in cash to the pension plan in 2009, $28 million in 2008 and $15 million in 2007. The company expects to contribute $21 million to the pension plan in 2010.