Green Hrm
Aug 25, 2019 • 92 views
We all know how badly and at what frequency the natural resources are depleting. Also we know how badly the emissions of industries affect the environment. As per the data given by Worldbank, the carbon dioxide emission has increased from 31.6 million(2008) to 36.3 million(2018). In such a situation we all need to find alternatives in which we can save the environment and use less of the resources that are non-renewable. We have three homes: Body, Mind and Planet Earth. So it becomes our responsibility to take care of our homes.
Source: People Matters
What is Green HRM?
Green HRM (GHRM) is a brand new concept which has recently got its place in the organizational system. As the name suggests, GHRM talks about the Human Resource Management that lays importance on various policies and practices that should be incorporated at a corporate level considering the Environmental health and safety. It was the Green movement across the globe that gave birth to GHRM. Several laws were passed by the governments across the globe after which The Water Act, 1974; The Air Act, 1981 and The Environment Act, 1986 were passed in India. (JMRA, Volume 05 Issue 02 (1))
Source: e-CSR.net
GHRM is not only about HRM
This concept became popular because it does not simply work on the environment sustainability but also benefits the individuals, the organization, the economy, society and the environment in a broader prospect. Professor David Uzzell from the University of Surrey has claimed, “the organizations are now realizing that taking their environmental impact seriously is beneficial not just for the environment but for business too. It can lead to a reduction in costs, a more satisfied workforce and a more pleasant working environment.”(IJIRMF Vol:3 Issue:5)
Source: Pixabay
Functions of GHRM
The Human Resource Department of a company has the capability to play a significant role in the creation of their company’s sustainability culture. (JSD Vol:3 No:4). So it becomes important to implement green practices through all the functions of HRM.
To understand, in detail, on how one can practice GHRM in their organization one must refer to Green HRM Practices – A Case study of a few selected Indian Companies
GHRM can be practiced in all the functions of HR like
Recruiting
This function involves a lot of paperwork. So instead of wasting more and more paper and harming the forests, we can opt for alternatives like sending JDs in a digital format asking for cvs in a digital format, conducting telephonic or video interviews, online job advertisements. Also mentioning the environmental goals or requirements in the JD informs the potential candidates about the green goals. As per the survey by British Carbon Trust, 75% of 1018 employees consider working for a firm that has an active policy to reduce carbon emissions. (Discussion Paper: University of Sheffield)
Selection
I recently gave a job interview where I was quite impressed with one of the questions. The question was, “if you are sitting at the parapet of a lake and you see someone throwing some trash on the road, what would you do? Would you simply see or do something about it for a change?” The job had nothing to do with the environment yet when they include such questions as a part of their selection process, they make it clear that they are wanting to hire some employees that can help them to take green initiatives may be in the future. So we can consider the environmental viewpoint of the person during selection. Also there are many graduates who consider the environmental image of the company in decision making. CIPD/KPMG report says 47% of HRs felt that employees prefer to work in an environment friendly company and 46% stated that having a strong green approach attract potential employees. (Discussion Paper: University of Sheffield)
Training and development
It is important that the organisational goals should be aligned with the individual goals. So through GHRM, we can prepare are employees by training them through digital platform in a way that keeps them driven towards exploration of new ideas for sustainability and by making them aware of the benefits of practising GHRM. This also makes HR an important aspect among all other functions of management.As per one survey, 42% of UK organisations are embedding a new green culture through training. (Discussion Paper: University of Sheffield)
Compensation
One of the biggest motivation for any employee to work is the compensation. So again at this stage we can add environmental impact as an important factor while rewarding the employees. This will encourage them to work towards the same. Thecompany, 3M offers rewards for those who provide suggestions for environmental benefit. (SHRM)
Exit management
It doesn't seem feasible tofire an employee on the basis of their ecological behavior but to make the organisation green, one can definitely try to understand and explain the ecological viewpoint of the employee during the exit interviews through e-questionnaire or other virtual or telephonic mode of interviews. This will help the companies to retain an efficient employee while balancing with the green goals of the company.
Source: hrmonline.com.au
Need of GHRM
India is considered among the top 10 countries of the world having a large forest covered area. But in 2009, it was ranked 10th worldwide in the amount of forest loss. Major reasons for this were firewood collection and colonization. In the Indian Himalayas debris thrown down slopes due to reckless use of excavator. Looking at this we definitely need to have some strong grounds across the globe. (Wikipedia)
However, practicing GHRM in an organization definitely brings some initials costs so it is important to understand why this is more of an investment for any company. Let’s see them
Increase in savings
GHRM increases the savings by reduction in the carbon footprint and other unnecessary expenses. This can be done by creating a Green HR platform where the workforce experience high job satisfaction and engaged (Green HRM - Partner in Sustainable Competitive Growth)
Attention towards health and safety of the fellow workers
GHRM not only talks about the nature but also takes care of the company culture, the health and safety of the employees. This creates a healthy and a satisfactory image of the company.
Low attrition rate
Several new problems occur every day in the Environment. And so to solve them, new ways have to be discovered for which every employee is encouraged to provide new ideas, thereby increasing their job satisfaction and reducing the attrition rate. The survey done by SHRM (Society for Human Resources Management) said that 61% of its respondents were likely or more likely to continue working with their company because of their green policy. (IJRMB: Vol 2 Issue3)
Reduction in the adverse environmental impact
GHRM is all about working in a way that affects the least to the Environment. Moreover, it emphasizes on the betterment of the current environmental situation. So it automatically reduces the adverse effect of the company on the nature.
Increase in Morale
More brain exercise to find innovative ways in order to reduce carbon footprint, thereby increase in morale.
Increase in business
It also increases the business opportunities because there are many NPOs, government organizations and businesses who are adhered to work only with companies that work towards environmental conservation. As per a survey on Green Gap Trend, 71% of american shoppers said that they are conscious of the environmental impact while a purchase. (IJRMB: Vol 2 Issue3)
Making employees green
The most important, providing training to the employees that drives them to work towards the protection of the environment provides the society with the rightly educated people.
Real exanples of GHRM
There are several companies that are working towards green initiatives like IKEA, Unilever, Panasonic , IBM, etc.However, I have listed 2 examples on Godrej and ITC.
Giving back to our communities is important to us. With this belief, Godrej has 23% of the promoter holding in trusts that invest in the environment, health and education. The manufacturing plants of Godrej has robust technologies that help them understand and analyze complete environmental footprint, from raw materials to finished goods, across factories. Their aspiration is to achieve zero carbon emissions.
Source: Free Indian Logos
ITC is another one such company that has put their plans into actions pertaining to sustainability. ITC visions to make a transformational change in society through its managerial and innovative capacity. So they adopted the credo of ‘Putting India First’ and created business models that synergized the creation of economic wealth with the formation of ecological and social capital as a unified strategy.
Source: Seeklogo
For this,
They use Renewable energies to the maximum
Its Green Hotels providing luxury amidst the nature
Afforestation programme
Watershed Development Programme
Livestock Development
And this way by adopting several green initiatives, they are motivating their employees to undertake activities driven towards sustainability.
Hence, GHRM is not just about making the HRM eco-friendly, it is about how you change the mindsets of the people towards the ecosystem and how do you make the policies executed in order to get maximum acceptance by all the stakeholders. This has been realised by few of the top companies of India like Suzlon, IndusInd bank, ONGC, TCS, HCL. ONGC has also claimed that by its MGCS venture, it has been able to reduce 60% of its wood consumption. So if they can, why can't all?
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. – Margaret Mead
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