BUSINESS LEADERS MUST EMBED SUSTAINABILITY INTO THEIR ORGANISATIONS TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN TALENT

 

An increasing number of workers want to work for businesses that can demonstrate a commitment to sustainability and positive societal change. As a result, embedding and integrating sustainability into a business's workplace culture can help to attract and retain key talent in a skill short market. 

 

In a recent blog, Alistair Cox provides steps to help business leaders embed sustainability into their organisations.

 

Greenwashing is a practice that organisations use to make themselves seem more environmentally conscious than they are. To prevent being accused of this, Alistair advises organisations to be genuine in their ambitions and culture and be open about their goals and progress. 

 

Alistair says, "Ensuring you have independent verification of your progress will help avoid greenwashing. At Hays, we work alongside Climate Partner who provide this for us and advise us along our journey to Net Zero. We also report to the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) and Ecovadis, who provide trusted business sustainability ratings."

 

Alistair adds, "To bring true value and meaning, the business and we as leaders must walk, talk and align behind our commitments."

 

The transition to a green economy is happening across most industries and is creating new jobs and the chance to learn new skills - presenting vast opportunities for professionals and businesses. 

 

The switch to a more sustainable future will see companies hire sustainability specialists. There will be a need to upskill the current workforce, for instance, electrical engineers will need to learn how to install solar PV, whilst design teams will learn how to adopt green design principles.

 

Alistair states, "Providing your employees with opportunities to learn new skills and get involved has the potential to unleash a diverse range of new market opportunities, as well as helping to solve your own sustainability challenges."

 

Organisations that lead on important issues such as sustainability will be better able to attract top talent. Businesses must ensure their senior leaders are communicating the organisation's sustainability journey to the rest of the business. Communicating these updates ensures the whole business is bought in and is championing your sustainability journey. 

 

If this is done effectively, hiring managers can provide information to potential recruits when questions about sustainability are asked at the interview stage. Alistair also encourages businesses to provide this information upfront and include it on career websites. 

 

Alistair says there are a few things to remember and to action if a business is to enhance its employer brand through sustainability. For example, organisations must provide their employees with the necessary tools to learn about the green economy; they must effectively communicate their journey and ensure there is an inclusive culture; they need to avoid greenwashing, and they must align behind their commitments. 

 

This is reiterated by Sue Wei, Managing Director at Hays Hong Kong SAR, who says “Sustainability is and will continue to be pivotal in Hong Kong’s economy. Business leaders should set an example by proactively advocating sustainability in their corporate strategies to inspire and retain talents.”

 

Alistair finishes by saying "As a leader, you are key to ensuring the success of your sustainability strategies."

 

This press release was adapted from a blog by Hays CEO, Alistair Cox. 

 

 

Jonathan Wong

Digital Marketing Manager, Hays
T: +852 2230 7933
E: jonathany.wong@hays.com.hk

 

Hays plc (the "Group") is the world’s leading specialist in workforce solutions and recruitment, such as RPO and MSP. The Group is the expert at recruiting qualified, professional and skilled people worldwide, being the market leader in the UK, Germany and Australia and one of the market leaders in Continental Europe, Latin America and Asia. The Group operates across the private and public sectors, dealing in permanent positions, contract roles and temporary assignments. As at 30 June 2022, the Group employed c.13,000 staff operating from 253 offices in 32 countries. For the year ended 30 June 2022:

 

– the Group reported net fees of £1,189.4 million and operating profit of £210.1 million;
– the Group placed around 83,750 candidates into permanent jobs and around 250,000 people into temporary roles;
– 16% of Group net fees were generated in Australia & New Zealand, 26% in Germany, 22% in United Kingdom & Ireland and 36% in Rest of World (RoW);
– the temporary placement business represented 55% of net fees and the permanent placement business represented 45% of net fees;
– Technology is the Group’s largest division, with 26% of net fees, while Accountancy & Finance (14%) and Construction & Property (11%), are the next largest
– Hays operates in the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UAE, the UK and the USA