Written by: David Liddle.

Confronting Sustainability & Social Justice

17 Nov 2022

Share article:

About the author:

David Liddle.
CEO of The TCM Group | President of the People and Culture Association | 2024 HR Most Influential Thinker at the TCM group
If you would like to discuss David's post in more detail, please contact David at [email protected]

Tags:

Much more than just ‘buzzwords,’ contemporarily the scope of sustainability and social justice have far reaching implications. Though these topics have been inherently impactful to our personal lives, today there is ever-increasing emphasis on these dynamics within organisations.

The lines between our professional and personal lives are becoming increasingly blurred and it’s no wonder, we spend the majority of our time at work! In 2022, it’s integral for organisations to foster a work environment that is conscious of a wider purpose and responsibility, outside of providing financial reward.

The worsening environmental crisis, (apparent through the increasing occurrence of extreme weather events) global pandemic and social justice causes such as the Black Lives Matter and Me Too, have spearheaded shifts in our expectations of society.

Simply put, as individuals and as a community, we are holding each other more accountable for blatant ills that have been long tolerated. For businesses and organisations, it is imperative to be aware, responsive and responsible to these factors. In his book Transformational Culture, TCM’s CEO David Liddle puts it frankly “The impact on company culture must not be underestimated. Employees expect a response from their employer. It is no longer good enough to be non-racist in the workplace. The company is increasingly expected to be actively and publicly anti-racist.”

Studies in the US have found that:

  • Over 40% of employees feel a company’s actions on important societal issues would impact their decision to work for it
  • Almost 30% would be less likely to continue working for their company long term if it made no effort on important societal issues
  • 27% of workers at the US’ largest companies feel employees should pressure their CEOs to be more vocal on social issues

So what now?

As I have mentioned previously, it’s essential for organisations to be forward-thinking in crafting their culture and demonstrating their organisational values. Company’s Employee Value Proposition and align their actions with the growing wave of employee and social activism.

You can do this by:

Training – Ensure your employees are undertaking regular learning around sustainability and social justice topics. This will help to create awareness of individual and collective responsibility within these spaces.

Research – Educate yourself on contemporary issues or causes within these spaces. If you are unaware of what is going on you could develop tunnel-vision, which is a huge part of the problem with sustainability and social justice issues. Ignorance is NOT bliss!

Discuss – If you feel comfortable enough, engage with your employees around the causes and issues they feel passionate about. This will help you to develop a deeper understanding of what matters to your workers and steps you can take to support and accommodate their needs.

Consult experts – Employ or hire experts within these spaces to support your organisation in shaping policies, values and responses to sustainability and social justice issues. You want to get this right! Try not to make assumptions or implement policies without expert support, damage (both reputationally and financially) can be dire if mistakes are made.

Want to explore and implement an inclusive, high-performing workplace culture? Get in touch with our People & Culture Coordinator Hannah Cotton to discuss how TCM could support with your organisation.

You may also like to read

24 Oct 2024 | Katrina Hinrichsen
King’s School Canterbury: Elevating HR Leadership with Coaching Skills
We share how one of the oldest and most prestigious schools in the world tapped into the power of people professionals' coaching with our training course.
17 Oct 2024 | Katrina Hinrichsen
Webinar Recap: Exploring the Magic of Mediation
Are you creating chasms or building bridges? Our recent Mediation Eye-Opener Webinar dived into how mediation can be your informal yet powerful tool for conflict resolution, helping teams not just survive but truly thrive.
engage-coaching-coach-tcm-professional
11 Oct 2024 | Katrina Hinrichsen
Webinar Recap: Engage Coaching Eye-Opener
Our webinar recap highlights how coaching is a transformative force for businesses and employees alike. Delve into our unique strategies and models, and the profound impact coaching can have on workplace culture, resilience, and productivity.
27 Sep 2024 | Katrina Hinrichsen
How The University of Manchester Tapped into the Power of Facilitated Conversations
Facilitated conversations build a culture of openness, trust, and collaboration — key ingredients for any successful educational institution. Discover more in this case study.
investigations-investigative-process-triage-tcm-group
26 Sep 2024 | Katrina Hinrichsen
Webinar Recap: Elevate your Investigative Outcomes
In an investigative landscape, organisations face mounting challenges in managing complex cases with limited time and resources. Discover valuable strategies and insights into how investigative teams can achieve more impactful results.
neurodivergence-mediation-conflict-brain-adhd
24 Sep 2024 | Katrina Hinrichsen
Webinar Recap: Navigating Conflict with ADHD & Neurodivergence
Neurodivergence offers unique strengths and perspectives to the modern workforce. Yet without understanding and support, it can lead to barriers and conflict. Here's how to address it.