Personnel Today
  • OHW+
  • Resources
    • Clinical governance
    • Disability
    • Ergonomics
    • Health surveillance
    • OH employment law
    • OH service delivery
    • Research
    • Return to work and rehabilitation
    • Sickness absence management
    • Wellbeing and health promotion
  • Conditions
    • Mental health
    • Musculoskeletal disorders
    • Blood pressure
    • Cancer
    • Cardiac
    • Dementia
    • Diabetes
    • Respiratory
    • Stroke
  • CPD
  • Webinars
  • Jobs
  • Personnel Today

Register
Log in
Personnel Today
  • OHW+
  • Resources
    • Clinical governance
    • Disability
    • Ergonomics
    • Health surveillance
    • OH employment law
    • OH service delivery
    • Research
    • Return to work and rehabilitation
    • Sickness absence management
    • Wellbeing and health promotion
  • Conditions
    • Mental health
    • Musculoskeletal disorders
    • Blood pressure
    • Cancer
    • Cardiac
    • Dementia
    • Diabetes
    • Respiratory
    • Stroke
  • CPD
  • Webinars
  • Jobs
  • Personnel Today

Latest NewsESGHR strategyWellbeingOccupational Health

HR called to champion ‘greener’ workplaces

by Nic Paton 14 Jun 2005
by Nic Paton 14 Jun 2005

HR has been urged to do more to encourage staff to make their workplaces more environmentally friendly – because greener processes can make a real difference to the bottom line.

In separate reports, both the TUC and manufacturers’ organisation the EEF, said that making workplaces more sustainable and “green” should be a top priority over the coming years.

The union body wants workers and managers to explore how they can respond to the challenge posed by global warming.

Philip Pearson, TUC policy officer, said there was “a massive amount HR could do” to help change the way workplaces operate, and how staff travel to work.

In conjunction with unions, HR could be central in helping to change policies and procedures, as well as arguing the business benefits of such an approach, he said.

“It is about helping existing structures to adapt to take on the climate change agenda,” Pearson said. “HR could be involved in things such as revising job descriptions and encouraging green travel, or video conferencing, instead of business travel.”

Meanwhile, the EEF has launched a new sustainable development guide, which uses case studies to show how firms can improve their performance in areas such as waste, water and energy management, and save on operating costs.

Gary Booton, director of health, safety and environment at the EEF, said: “Sustainable development is a concept that tends to be discussed in global terms and, as such, companies tend to feel it doesn’t apply to them, or they become bewildered by the concept.

Sign up to our weekly round-up of HR news and guidance

Receive the Personnel Today Direct e-newsletter every Wednesday

OptOut
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

“The real challenge at a practical level is to help businesses recognise that small step-changes to their operations will contribute to a significant overall improvement in the environment, and to their bottom line.”

The reports come as leading scientists from around the world demand that governments take prompt action to combat climate change, with Prime Minister Tony Blair being urged to put pressure on US president George Bush ahead of the G8 summit.


Nic Paton

Nic Paton is consultant editor at Personnel Today. One of the country's foremost workplace health journalists, Nic has written for Personnel Today and Occupational Health & Wellbeing since 2001, and edited the magazine from 2018.

previous post
Northern Ireland commuters urged to get on their bikes
next post
Asylum seekers boost local economy

You may also like

Government publishes ‘roadmap’ for Employment Rights Bill

1 Jul 2025

Ethnicity and disability pay gaps: Ready to report?...

1 Jul 2025

Government moves swiftly on immigration reform

1 Jul 2025

One in eight senior NHS managers from black...

1 Jul 2025

Government launches ‘landmark’ review of parental leave

1 Jul 2025

Clarks cuts 1,200 jobs after ‘year of transition’

1 Jul 2025

How HR can support families with adoption

1 Jul 2025

Co-op equal pay claims move onto next stage

30 Jun 2025

‘Be direct’ to avoid escalating conflict, advises Acas

30 Jun 2025

Reforming paternity leave could benefit UK by £13bn...

30 Jun 2025

  • Empowering working parents and productivity during the summer holidays SPONSORED | Businesses play a...Read more
  • AI is here. Your workforce should be ready. SPONSORED | From content creation...Read more

PERSONNEL TODAY

About us
Contact us
Browse all HR topics
Email newsletters
Content feeds
Cookies policy
Privacy policy
Terms and conditions

JOBS

Personnel Today Jobs
Post a job
Why advertise with us?

EVENTS & PRODUCTS

The Personnel Today Awards
The RAD Awards
Employee Benefits
Forum for Expatriate Management
OHW+
Whatmedia

ADVERTISING & PR

Advertising opportunities
Features list 2025

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin


© 2011 - 2025 DVV Media International Ltd

Personnel Today
  • OHW+
  • Resources
    • Clinical governance
    • Disability
    • Ergonomics
    • Health surveillance
    • OH employment law
    • OH service delivery
    • Research
    • Return to work and rehabilitation
    • Sickness absence management
    • Wellbeing and health promotion
  • Conditions
    • Mental health
    • Musculoskeletal disorders
    • Blood pressure
    • Cancer
    • Cardiac
    • Dementia
    • Diabetes
    • Respiratory
    • Stroke
  • CPD
  • Webinars
  • Jobs
  • Personnel Today