What are environmentally sustainable work practices?

Individuals spend more hours at work than they do at home or elsewhere. A sustainable work environment makes a long workday less stressful and more enjoyable for workers. Companies have crucial roles to play in this regard. This is not because they are the major contributors to global warming or environmental pollution, but they have the capabilities in form of incentives and opportunities to design innovative ideas in reversing what damages our ecosystem. This could be in form of investing renewable energy sources and the implementation of sustainable initiatives in the work environment.

So, what is a Sustainable Workplace?  A sustainable workplace established the goal of balancing the planet, people, and profit to produce success and viability in the long-term. What this means is a business will be regarded as unsustainable if it fails to safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of their most cherished asset-employees.

A sustainable and healthy workplace produce happier and motivated workers, which eventually increase employee productivity and fewer work-related hazards, illnesses, and mishaps. This is fundamental to boosting the overall revenue and reputation of the organization.

Is a sustainable Workplace beneficial?

Some individuals usually dismiss the concept of a sustainable work environment as a hallucination or wishful thinking. The expectation of every business, after all, is to maximize profits for all stakeholders. Paying minimum wages, open offices, shifting schedules- these are few endeavors embarked by companies to minimize expenses and, significantly, maximize profits. If we go by a conventional approach, a company-sponsored restaurant serving expensive, yet healthy salads and low-fat chilled yogurt, or retail business to increases the wages of three million workers by $2 per hour.

A significant number of enterprises are becoming aware of the benefits of a sustainable work environment and its long-term profitability. Installing skylights and swapping to T5 fluorescent lighting connotes a reduction in electricity bills. Utilizing passive cooling and heating, and motivating workers to dress smartly for the season( compared to setting the air conditioner at  68°F/20°C throughout the year can generate the same outcomes. Higher worker productivity can be realized by providing healthier food in the workplace cafeteria as a result of increased energy level. (We also shared other factors that can improve employee productivity in this article – 100 Ways to be Productive at Work

Impact of Sustainable Workplace on Market Value

Recent research has shown that businesses who invest in a sustainable work environment perform better compared to those who are passive about it. The 2008 unit’s report of Economic Intelligence Doing Good: Business and the Sustainability Challenge

A rise in stakeholder vigilance has also contributed to the connection between CSR performance and stock performance. Web 2.0 and its collaborative platforms have ensured companies all over the world are held accountable for sustainability issues. Recent instances include YouTube videos educating and alerting consumers about identified undesirable corporate practices. This has provided stakeholders with information of companies they should invest in or not to invest in.

Enhanced Talent Recruitment and Retention

Hill+Knowlton forecasted that the Millennials(1976-2001) would make up for about 75% of the total workforce by 2025. It is imperative for companies to adjust their culture and policies to attract not only millennials but also retain them. Millennials are looking for opportunities that will enable them to make a difference in their respective community.

Compared to previous generations, where the priority is power, money, and prestige, Millennials would instead work for a cause they believe in. For instance,  the 2014 Millennial Impact Report 

Integrating CSR into business operations, for instance, building a sustainable work environment may seem like a waste of resources at the beginning, but it will surely pay off in the long term. This will help companies to employ new individuals and retain the existing productive employees. In simple terms, a sustainable work environment saves a considerable sum of money spent on recruiting, selection, compensation, benefits, and many more.

Greater Consumer Confidence

A company’s stand on sustainability also plays an essential role for consumers. The  2006 Cone Millennial Cause Study

To bolster this study, the most progressing enterprises among consumers in these present days are the few that prioritize ‘sustainability.’

Increased Revenue, Profit and Efficiency

Provision of healthier foods can lower the risk of developing lifestyle-induced diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. The integration of Health and Safety precautions into day-to-day business operations such as proper waste management and the installations of railings on stairs can lessen the possibilities of accidents and injuries.

An unsustainable workplace is costly on its own, so it does not make sense not prioritizing sustainability. Millions of employees have been estimated to die as a result of diseases and occupational accidents. The direct and the indirect cost in the form of medical expenses, worker’s compensation, and lost working time amount to trillions of dollars.

Increased Business Activity

Businesses need natural resources to remain in business. Water is essential for factories to produce, and farms cannot thrive without fertile earth to till. Creating a sustainable workplace guarantees continuation in business activity by saving or renewing natural resources. More goods and services can be generated and provided in the future with more natural resources.

Concepts for creating a Sustainable Work Environment

Here are some ideas that businesses can adapt to create a sustainable workplace:

1. Electronics Management: There are lots of best practices that can be implemented to reduce energy consumption, and also cost. You can place stickers close to office machinery and light switches informing workers to switch them off when not in use. Motion sensors or automatic timers can as well be installed. Also, perform regular cleaning and repair of office equipment. Do you know that dirty or poorly kept machine consumes more energy than well maintained and clean ones? Laptops can also replace desktop computers as they are energy efficient. Substitute old machinery and appliances with new and energy-efficient pieces of equipment.

2. Sustainable Dining: Stock your vending machines and restaurants with healthier food instead of processed and caffeinated drinks. Cafeteria officials can be advised and encouraged to use reusable dishware instead of Styrofoam and plastic containers.

3. Virtual Conferences: Instead of planning face-to-face meetings with customers or partners, you can hold webinars. This saves effort, time, and other resources (for instance, gasoline, electricity, and water, etc.). It also ensures inclusion for more attendees, especially if the location has always been an impediment.

4. Workplace Wellness: Exercise programs during the workday can be incorporated into an employee schedule. This will impact their health and also make them more productive. A no-smoking corporate policy in the work environment can be implemented and enforced if it is not already regulated by the government. Information drive as touching tobacco cessation can also be established. Motivate workers to use the stairs instead of the escalator or elevator. Permit workers to use a standing desk to create an ergonomic workplace. Provide incentives for bicycling, taking public transportation, and carpooling. We wrote a detailed article titled, “ How do you promote wellness in the workplace?

5. Green Purchasing: Where suitable, make greener shopping by leasing or renting machinery instead of purchasing them. This means less consumption of natural resources and the reduction in production. If possible, buy second-grade equipment that is still energy efficient and in good condition. Motivate workers to recycle and educate on what items need to be dropped in the bins. You can create a customized bin for plastic and polythene. Also, purchase eco-friendly paints, office supplies, cleaning products, furnishings, and décor. This can positively produce quality air and prevent sicknesses. Companies can also purchase  standing desks. We already provided a detailed review in our article, “37 Benefits of Standing Desk – #17 & #18 Convinced Me.”

6. Sustainable Supply Chain: Employing a sustainable supply chain is a fundamental approach to guaranteeing overall business sustainability. It may seem a long-term task, design your supply chain to point out unsustainable processes and how they can be improved. Collaborate with vendors to motivate and incentivize business practices that are considered sustainable. Incorporate sustainability as one of the criteria for selecting new suppliers. Utilize raw materials and avoid raw materials with hazardous substances like mercury, lead, and cadmium. As possible as you can, use recycled materials.

Conclusion

Investment in creating a sustainable work environment should be classified as one that will profit your organization more in the long term. This could be in the form of abundant natural resources and enhanced employee

Related Questions

What are the advantages of creating a sustainable workplace?  A sustainable and healthier workplace result in a stress-free and happier workers, which consequentially, enhances employee wellness and productivity.

How can companies create a sustainable workplace?  A company can establish a sustainable culture such as recycling, reducing electricity bills, and caring about their employees, customer, and the earth.

Page 2

Working outside of the office was definitely a thing before the pandemic, but its popularity has increased by leaps and bounds over the past few years. This happened mostly from necessity, but fortunately, existing technologies were able to make the transition as smooth as possible for many people. 

Of course, working from home isn’t the only thing you can do with the help of technology. From ordering groceries online to going on virtual house tours, technology makes it possible to do all kinds of cool stuff. You can mail checks online

If you’re talking about working from home (or anywhere else besides the office), you’ll need more than just WiFi and a laptop – although those are handy to have. There are several other technologies that have made it possible for entire swathes of the US workforce to continue working efficiently, even when they couldn’t join their co-workers for months at a time.

1. File-sharing platforms

When everyone’s working in the same office space, sharing information is easy. Take the same workforce and spread them across an entire urban area, and it may not be quite so simple. Well, unless they start using a file-sharing platform, such as the ones that are available through cloud-based technologies.

This is one of the major technologies that has made remote work arrangements possible, not least because it offers additional capabilities besides just file-sharing. Many of these platforms also let users share their screens, manage editing permissions on documents, and view version histories as well.

In some cases, this has also helped employees become more efficient and accurate in the way they share information. There’s less concern about version control, for instance, since multiple copies of the same document aren’t getting passed around without being reconciled with each other. This can compromise the integrity of a company’s data, and eventually create a lot of confusion as employees start making decisions based on inaccurate information. Instead, there’s a single document in one location, where anyone who needs to can instantly access it. Administrators may also be able to decide who gets to edit the documents, and who can simply view them; this prevents haphazard or accidental edits.

2. Project management platforms

You can’t have teamwork without a team – but how can the team work together if they aren’t technically together? With the help of a project management platform. Supervisors get more visibility on how projects are progressing, how well deadlines are being met, and who might need a little nudge to keep things on track. Employees can view all their deadlines from the same dashboard, coordinate with other team members, and see how their work fits into the big picture.

Could all this be done with other communication methods, such as emails or phone calls? Technically the answer is yes, but that would entail a huge amount of work for everyone involved – and it would still fall short of what a project management platform could do. Even if everyone could keep track of collaborations, projects, and deadlines with perfect accuracy, they might still struggle to stay engaged with their jobs. Working from home can feel pretty isolating, and this type of platform provides a way to connect with everyone who’s joining in on the same efforts as you.

Aside from enhancing overall efficiency, project management platforms can also increase motivation and morale. Some of them offer feedback capabilities as well as basic project management functions, which is key in making employees feel like they’re being listened to. A common issue in the workplace is a lack of motivation due to feeling ignored or disconnected, and these platforms can address the problem directly.

3. Instant messaging software

There are many different options when it comes to instant messaging, but it has two main characteristics: it’s mobile, and it has a chat function. It’s more immediate and less formal than a phone call, and it’s usually faster than using email. Advanced IM software solutions also connect to employees’ calendars to provide availability updates. For example, if they’ve scheduled a meeting at a certain time, anyone who sends a message during that time frame will be notified that the recipient is busy.

IM software also lets employees form group chats for improved coordination. They could take the form of more “traditional” group chats, or they could be hosted in an online chat room. There can also be feeds that are set up for a specific project. Say a company’s HR department wanted to quickly provide a company-wide update – they could use the IM platform to instantly disperse the information.

Screen-sharing capabilities are another feature that comes with more advanced IM software. The average chat lets you instantly tell team members something; screen-sharing lets you instantly show them. From sharing screens to exchanging videos and images, these features can bring online collaboration to a whole new level for getting feedback on projects, brainstorming, and much more.

4. Digital assistants

With the demand for digital assistants growing by leaps and bounds every year, there’s a decent chance that you already have one. It could be Siri, Alexa, or any of the other friendly devices that make your life easier, but guess what? These products are good for a lot more than just tracking your grocery list. They can also take notes, send emails, make calls, manage calendars, and more. If you had one at the office, it would probably be disruptive for your co-workers. If you’re at home, however, it could be just the thing to help keep your workflow going at a steadier pace. 

You could think of it as an all-in-one day planner, to-do list, and virtual assistant. It may take a bit of adjustment to use it at first, but the reality is that you’re streamlining several processes to be completed by a single tool. Plus, you won’t have to worry about losing a notebook or quickly scribbling notes among the rest of the paperwork. If you wanted to access any of the information you’d previously entered into the device, you’d just have to ask.

5. Video conferencing platforms

You can’t discuss working from home without bringing up Zoom calls, right? From conferences to face-to-face meetings, video calls have provided a way for team members and supervisors to stay connected on a more personal level. Even though the information that’s shared on a video call could probably fit into a chat message, email, or phone call, a successfully run organization is about more than just processing information. There are other factors to consider, like keeping employees motivated by making them feel seen and heard. If working outside the office is going to feel as seamless as it should, employees can’t feel cut off from their typical working environment. Video calls are also very helpful for keeping in touch with clients, as they add a personal touch to any communication.

The takeaway

Making the transition away from working at the office can be tricky, but these technologies are here to help. In fact, you may already be familiar with some of them! It may not be the easiest thing to make the switch, but with the right technologies, it shouldn’t be too difficult.