Green Human Resource Management [GHRM] is becoming increasingly popular as companies are realising their role in the climate crises and are adopting green behaviours to try to rectify the damages caused and reduce further ill effects.
With each passing year, the damage to Earth is increasing. And corporations might be in a position to change that for the better since the industrial sector is a major contributor to pollution. CDP’s survey reported that 71% of all industrial emissions come from 100 energy companies.
This article is an overview of what green HRM is and its importance in business management.
What is Green Human Resource Management?
It’s a term that highlights the role of HR management in promoting a sustainable and environmentally friendly culture at the workplace. Here, the managers develop policies with a special focus on sustainability and achieving the organisation’s environmental goals, while keeping a sturdier check on the harm done to the environment.
Here is what green HR managers do:
Design the onboarding process to integrate the new employees with the company’s green initiatives and culture right from the start.
Set measurable outcomes for employees’ performance in green projects. And use these metrics as a criterion for promotions since it defines their contribution to achieving organisational objectives.
Set up employee training and development to enhance the ecological awareness of the entire workforce. These can include awareness campaigns, off-shore training sessions, and education about reducing waste and saving resources.
Take the example of Google. This tech giant has started initiatives to support an environmentally friendly workplace culture. They provide employees with bicycles called Gbikes to commute around campus and grow fruits and vegetables in the empty spaces on company property. All of their efforts are aimed at reducing their carbon footprint.
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Importance of Green Human Resource Management
You can enjoy many strategic advantages by making the human resources department responsible for introducing green policies within the office.
First off, a top-down approach is essential to introduce the large-scale cultural shift towards practising sustainability. And HRM is in a great position to run point on such an endeavour.
To become a green company, it might be best to have a team of like-minded employees who believe in your mission. And green HRM can do that by hiring people who have an inclination towards green behaviours.
An example of green HR initiatives is corporate carpooling where the company provides its employees with cars to commute together. Or if employees want to use their own cars for carpooling, then offer them priority parking spots! We saw this practically done by several businesses in Nashville, USA.
Besides helping the environment and making the planet become a safer home for yourself and others, here are some other benefits you can enjoy with Green Human Resource Management:
Improved customer loyalty and brand reputation.
Increased employee retention and motivation. Statistics show that 54% of workers are willing to go beyond their designated responsibilities if the work is aligned with their values.
It can earn the company tax breaks and compensation from the government.
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A company’s stance on climate change is slowly becoming a major factor in either gain or lose social support and monetary benefits.
For that reason, HRM professionals should upgrade their expertise so they can design policies that can help companies move toward suitability. A great way to do that is by acquiring a Masters degree in Human Resource Management.
SNATIKA is an online platform for prestigious European Masters Degree programs. Here, you’ll learn about HR strategy, shaping green policies, and more. Commit to improving your knowledge and enrol in one of SNATIKA's online Masters and MBA programs in Human Resources Management so you can take on new challenges with confidence.