Sustainability in the Workplace
Guest Post: JAW Sustainability
In recent years, the way that we live, and work has transitioned rapidly. Sustainability has moved its way up the agenda of business operations and provides huge growth opportunities by pushing innovation and productivity. Sustainability in the workplace has the potential to encapsulate and fulfil core company values, while engaging with key issues that we face in societal transitions in sustainability. Being sustainable in the workplace means not only focusing on your existing practices in business but laying the groundwork for future workforces.
But what is sustainability?
Most of us hear this word on a daily basis but can’t explain exactly what it means, and there is an abundance of literature still discussing the definition. The UN defines sustainability as “meeting our own needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. Sustainability refers to environmentalism, social equity, and economic development. While this is still a broad definition, the motivation of sustainability is to enhance the environmental, social, and economic pillars, for now, and for the future, through innovative solutions and practices.
So, what should sustainability in the workplace look like?
It is not only about reducing your workplace footprint, but it should focus on innovative tools to encourage the well-being of employees, encourage environmentally conscious decisions and promote long-term management that can evolve working culture.
Something that EVERY business owner can do now to be more sustainable:
- Training employees on environmental best practices: engaging directly with your team can empower employees to integrate sustainability within their day-to-day work, promoting more environmentally conscious decisions.
- Create a sustainability policy: while many companies have them, they are most effective where clear-cut measurable objectives are in place, such as reducing the office carbon footprint. Regularly reviewing it and seeking employee input will promote policy success.
- Flexible working: allowing employees to work flexibly can reduce emissions from commuting and enable a better work-life balance, improving employee wellbeing.
- Donate to charity & offer volunteer days: directly engaging with charities can improve employee wellbeing and directly targets environmental concerns.
- Office plants & green walls: plants in the workplace are a great way to improve employee wellbeing and productivity and improve indoor air quality.
Making sustainability engaging and accessible should be a key focus for achieving sustainability in the workplace.
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At JAW Sustainability we provide specialist sustainability support in the construction industry, understanding client objectives to integrate sustainability in a meaningful way. If you would like to discuss sustainability, ESG, and wellbeing in the workplace, get in touch with us and we’d love to chat! Instagram: @jawsustain