6 Excellent Ways to Increase Employee Engagement in Sustainability

Many businesses are finally accepting the idea that sustainability is crucial. However, engaging employees in the organization’s daily sustainability activities remains a challenge. Even when those working for the organization care enough about sustainability, operationalizing the goals can be difficult to achieve.

Recent studies show that a company not only benefit financially from sustainability practices, e.g., energy conservation, they also reap additional benefits such as increased productivity, employee retention, as well as an increase in engagement.

The problem

Linking employee values and gaining support for the company’s sustainability goals, as well as linking back to the employees’ work, doesn’t come with a one-size-fits-all answer. Therein lies the rub.

The Solution(s)

Here we examine 6 great ways to increase your employee engagement in your sustainability programs. 

Below are some excellent ideas to initiate changes:

1. Define the company’s long-term goals
2. Present the economic benefits of sustainability
3. Form teams and co-create sustainability practices
4. Make every employee a sustainability hero
5. Encourage healthy competition amongst employees
6. Make sustainability visible

But let’s examine HOW you can incorporate each of these ideas in your own business:

1. Define the company’s long-term goals

By focusing attention on the long-term goals of your organization, employees will not be conflicted between their personal values and their work duties.

Some argue that a company’s best interests come first – if a company doesn’t turn a profit, they won’t stay in business. The latter part is true.

But did you know that the triple bottom line approach can result in the best outcomes for all?

The triple bottom line approach, often referred to as “environment, economy, equity” and “human, natural, financial resources”, shifts the focus of a business to generate profits in a manner that puts people and the planet alongside profit; this approach also helps identify opportunities and risks that may otherwise not be apparent.

As more companies transition into a “purpose economy,” the competition to stay competitive and relevant is redefining what it takes to improve employee well-being, employee engagement, and productivity.

By creating infrastructures that do well AND do good, companies are raising the bar, turning theories into actions. By helping your employees understand the scope and purpose of their work contributions and its importance, you will organically engage them.

2. Present the economic benefits of sustainability

The triple bottom line approach takes into account the importance of social responsibility and environmental stewardship, but the business has to be a profit-maker.

When considering a sustainability initiative, consider how it will benefit the company:

• Will expenses be reduced?
• Will it help you expand into new markets?
• Will your company gain recognition as an innovative business?

If employees understand how these initiatives benefit the company and how they will benefit in the long-term, they will support your programs more aggressively.

3. Form teams and co-create sustainability practices

Investing in the education of employees as well as creating processes and systems that simplify the integration of sustainability in employee’s daily lives will further promote employee engagement.

Your employees need to understand the importance of sustainability—that’s the only way they will be able to support your company initiatives effectively. Get as creative as your budget will allow with “lunch and learn” session, webinars, and seminars.

Engage your employees in co-creating policies for integrating sustainability.

4. Make every employee a sustainability torchbearer

Sustainability crusaders need to be fostered throughout the organization. Everyone from the top-down needs to be on board for the initiatives to succeed.

Without support from the top brass, employees won’t have access to resources needed to put a sustainability program in place. On the flip side, without employee support, senior management may watch as their initiatives wither and die.

5. Encourage healthy competition amongst employees

Competition spurs creativity. The skills that drive competition, the drive to push the envelope, and the teamwork needed to solve problems are the very skills necessary to promote sustainability initiatives.

Reward your employees with something that everyone can partake in if the company meets a goal. Publicly recognize employees who contribute ideas to the company’s initiatives.

6. Make sustainability visible

Establishing trackable goals and metrics and sharing the results will foster ownership. Keep your employees apprised of how your programs are performing.

And don’t forget to celebrate successes! Have the whole company participate!

Finally,

If you don’t have one, start a green team and a conversation about implementing strategies and incentives. By laying a good foundation for developing a sustainable company, your employees will realize the level of your commitment.