The Covid-19 pandemic has not just been the worst global health crisis in over a century but also the reason for a crisis of sorts for human resource managers around the world. After being forced into isolation that shifted workplace to home for millions, the return to normalcy is still a distant goal. This shift by itself may not have affected the way we get work done, but it has definitely changed the way we look at work itself.
How often have we heard about people talking about taking a hard look at their priorities in life after witnessing many deaths in close circles? It has been a rude awakening for sorts, to say the least. For HR managers, getting people back to work as it was before March 2020, when the first wave of the virus showed up, has been only the start of a long toil towards normalcy.
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This idea of pushing the immediate and measurable economic gains to the backseat by itself is quite revealing. So is there a more compelling ‘purpose’ that binds our workforce and gives them a reason to get up in the morning?
Yes, I see this as a great opportunity to explore new dimensions in the workplace that looks at the big picture and addresses more serious questions like what’s our purpose in life, including work. In other words, it is not just what’s in it for me, but what more can I do. This spirit of self-enquiry, in my view, couldn’t have been better timed.
Businesses, large and small are going through a critical phase in which sustainability has become a big challenge. Profits are important, to sustain businesses, but other forces that have been largely ignored or given less importance are now catching up.
Today it’s being addressed by ESG (Environment, Social and Governance), an approach to look at businesses from other prisms i.e., other than only profits.
ESG is a tool not just for senior leadership but for everyone in a company. The outcome of a sound ESG approach to businesses creates great value for all stakeholders—not just investors. Involving employees at all levels in helping the business meet or exceed ESG targets is a great way to meaningfully engage them beyond their routine work.
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The ESG approach to managing a business can be fenced by quantifiable targets such as Net Zero or carbon neutrality. Depending on the industry, the ESG outcomes can vary i.e., in very specific terms. Reducing the use of fossil fuels and other natural and scarce resources like water, building cleaner sources of energy or executing outreach programmes that improve the quality of life for members of the local community through sustainable livelihood or education, are some areas where employees can contribute.
Businesses are evolving into more responsible corporate citizens and employees, particularly the younger ones, are looking at work as more than just a means to earn a livelihood. Creating a work environment that addresses both these needs is the new opportunity we cannot afford to ignore. (Times of India)
