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The Next Generation of HRM Practices- Going Green
May 6th, 2019
Environmental sustainability is one of the key issues facing younger generations as we consistently see it discussed in the news, and raised as a topic of debate by analysts and politicians. The topic of Green HRM practices has gained popularity in recent years as Millennials and Generation Z have entered the workforce and environmental initiatives are a passion of this demographic. Green HRM practices include the creation of policies that promote the sustainable use of resources within a business through environmentally friendly HR practices and the preservation of knowledge capital. The benefits of Green HRM practices can be seen in many areas of Human Resources, including:
• Employee Retention and Recruitment and Selection: Going green has been proven to boost employee morale and give employees a sense that they are contributing to a greater cause. In addition, individuals are more likely to be attracted to a company that uses Green initiatives, and seek employment with one that promotes environmental sustainability.
• Employee Engagement: Engaging employees in Green initiatives is a great way to get people involved in workplace programs and onboard with Green policies in the workplace. These can include simple things such as recycling programs, going paperless (whenever possible) and turning off lights and electronics when not in use. More elaborate programs can include creating a sustainability team in charge of planning and executing initiatives, monthly Green challenges and embracing renewable energy sources such as wind or solar.
• Leadership- Management can take a principal role by implementing trackable metrics for Green Policy effectiveness. This can be divided into two distinct areas for tracking:
o Operational Metrics which would track items such as material use, energy consumption and pollutants released.
o Management Metrics which provides leadership with a clear picture of the results of Green initiatives in dollar values. Some examples include: savings achieved through the reduction of resources used and sales revenue attributed to a new product designed to meet environmental performance objectives.
• Performance Management and Appraisals: Companies focusing on Green HRM can reward employees who develop innovative ideas focusing on waste reduction, reuse of materials and recycling. Both monetary and recognition-based rewards have shown a positive impact on promoting Green initiatives in Canadian workplaces.
When it comes down to it, the benefits of going Green far outweigh any concerns for a company. The time and money it takes to establish new environmentally Green protocols pay back over the years, not only in money but also in creating a positive culture within organization as well as the global community.
References
https://smallbusiness.chron.com/benefits-going-gre...