Download as PDF

The following checklist provides a number of actions a human resource or practice manager may pursue to incorporate environmental sustainability values into the way the firm conducts its business.

Step 1 – Vision, mission, values and strategy

• Develop/upgrade the firm’s vision, mission and values framework to incorporate environmental sustainability.
  
• Involve employees in the development of the environmental sustainability strategy and the mission, vision, values framework of the firm.
  

Step 2 – Codes of conduct

• Incorporate the principles of environmental sustainability into the employee code of conduct.
  

Step 3 – Workforce planning and recruitment

• Evaluate the environmental sustainability skills of any current employees and incorporate environmental sustainability into recruitment programmes.
  
• Incorporate environmental sustainability into employer brand and employee values.
  

Step 4 – Orientation, training and competency development

• Provide general environmental sustainability training and include elements in employee promotion and pathways.
  

Step 5 – Compensation and performance management

• Provide an informal rewards system which incorporates environmental sustainability values.
  
• Integrate environmental sustainability into job descriptions, performance reviews and exit interviews.
  

Step 6 – Change management and firm culture

• Align environmental sustainability values and principles with any organisational change management programs.
  

Step 7 – Employee involvement and participation

• Promote events which raise employee awareness of environmental sustainability, including action which they may take at home, work and in the community.
  

Step 8 – Environmental sustainability policy and programme development

• Incorporate environmental sustainability policies and programmes in HR management, e.g. carbon footprint, employee volunteering.
  

Step 9 – Employee communications

• Communicate environmental sustainability objectives, plans and progress to employees.
  
• Promote regular employee communication to raise awareness of environmental sustainability.
  

Step 10 – Measurement, reporting and celebrating success

• Include environmental sustainability performance measures into employee engagement services.
  
• Measure and report on progress toward integration of environmental sustainability objectives.
  
• Celebrate small wins and any major milestones.
  

Adapted, with permission, from the publication 'Corporate Social Responsibility and Human Resource Management Checklist', copyright©2009 by Strandberg Consulting, Solution for a Sustainable World]