It can be argued that sustainability begins “at home”
and that being a socially responsible employer
goes hand in hand with being an environmentally
sustainable organization, since a company is likely to be judged on its corporate social responsibility
performance overall.
HR specialists can ensure that the
organization and its suppliers comply with or exceed
employment standards and provide favourable
terms and conditions of employment to their staff
and contractors (Glade; Rimanoczy and Pearson
14). They can act as source of information, guidance
and support both to the parent organization and
its supply chain participants on how to be social
responsible employers, and arrange training in this
area if necessary.
In general, high quality HR policies and
practices integrated with business and sustainability
goals are likely to promote positive employee-related
outcomes such as improved morale, increased
engagement, higher productivity and improved
retention (Meisinger 8; Schramm 88; Wilkinson,
Hill, and Gollan 1497) and improve the company’s
brand image which in turn is likely to increase sales
and increase the organization’s attractiveness to
potential recruits. On this point, HR professionals
should also ensure that the organization’s
sustainability policy and achievements to date are
included in marketing and recruitment strategies
and materials (Colbert and Kurucz 28).