Employee Engagement and Sustainability: Why It's So Crucial Today
Sustainability in business has never been more topical, nor more important to reputation as it is now. Sustainability matters and the value employees attach to it matters too. Employees are increasingly made up of younger generations who generally give greater credence to social responsibility and sustainability practices. If organizations are to attract premier, innovative talent that drives innovation and growth, how they align with sustainability principles is one of the factors that will set them apart from the competition.
Happy employees means a more productive workforce
Numerous studies have shown that there is a direct correlation between employee retention and job satisfaction, and a workplace that has a “feel-good factor” is more likely to have a committed workforce.
These are not groundbreaking revelations. Companies usually have entire departments dedicated to the wellbeing of their employees. The main focus of HR departments is to ensure that a company’s employees are well cared for and that they feel valued. Companies invest major time and resources to ensure that their workforce is taken care of.
As the needs of the modern employee evolve and adapt to our changing world, workers are placing a higher priority on the sustainability commitments of their employers.
How sustainability commitments improve employee satisfaction
One way that businesses can attract and retain good staff is through good sustainable practices. If a company shows genuine commitment to its sustainability initiatives and integrates sustainability into the fabric of the organisation, staff are more likely to feel a sense of pride in what they do and who they work for.
What other benefits may be gleamed from employee engagement in sustainability?
If staff feel proud to work for a company and morale is boosted as a result, you can expect to see lower turnover rates, higher productivity, and that intangible benefit of having a positive sense of moral amongst your staff.
A positive workplace builds positive reputation, attracts expert talent, and as a result, improves productivity. People perform better when they feel that their work is contributing to something more meaningful than just the bottom line of the company’s financial statements. For those employees motivated by sustainability considerations, strong sustainability strategies and objectives are key for a business to attract and retain top talent.
Businesses have to walk the walk — and employees will follow
Sustainability systems which are mere tick box exercises do little to motivate employees, nor do they demonstrate an openness and authenticity to staff.
Instead, clearly defined and achievable sustainability goals should be integrated into the very fabric of your organisation — as important a function as traditional business strategy. Business leaders, therefore, need tangible and relevant systems in place that employees can easily follow and contribute to. Not only will this result in greater employee buy-in but also create more opportunities for innovation and collaboration.
For example, employees from different departments may join your sustainability committee and get the chance to work together on sustainability projects. Departments that might otherwise rarely mingle with each other get an extra opportunity to build relationships and share business ideas. Simply put, if staff trust their employer, and feel like they are all part of a team working towards a collective goal, they are more likely to support one another and work more cohesively for the betterment of the company.
Many new companies are building their approach on the foundations of sustainable practices. Their employees embrace the sustainability systems from the onset, as they can see that the success of the business also means the success of its sustainability goals. Such attitudes drive not only environmental sustainability but also improve company long-term profits.
The most important business resource to protect: staff
Employee engagement should be at the core of business leaders’ priorities. Sustainability should not be viewed as an added responsibility; it should instead be at the center of management’s objectives. Business leaders should see sustainable operations not as superfluous expenses, but rather as an opportunity to improve the business along with contributing positively to the planet and improving employee morale.
There are endless methods and countless schemes of how to introduce sustainability into the workplace. The most effective approach begins with the immediate working environment. Creating healthier, greener workspaces that are visually calming improves mental wellbeing and improves productivity. Something as simple as office foliage and effective recycling systems could be the start of a brilliant, sustainable business that grows into 100% renewable energy operations and nature restoration programs.
Employee engagement in sustainability projects is the backbone to workplace harmony and the foundation of modern business growth and success.
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