Covid-19 changed a lot of things in life, including how we live and interact. One major change it caused was the working environment, with people having to work from home. However, one positive change that came from that was that it taught us how to live a sustainable lifestyle, with many people being more conscious about the things they buy.
For many businesses, however, it became more difficult to become sustainable as the workforce was remote. While remote workforces work from different locations, it should not stop a business from becoming sustainable.
Ways Of Measuring Sustainability In A Remote Workforce
Complete assessment tests as a team
According to GetSmarter, “sustainability is key to ensuring a resilient future for all”. You first have to understand your company’s overall sustainability performance status. You can do that by answering assessment questions as a team to get a consensus. Have different initiatives, like using eco-friendly products, and have those who agree with the initiative answer yes and those who don’t answer no.
Achieving sustainability will differ from all your remote employees because of their circumstances at home, access to resources, and financial capabilities. Therefore, you should consider 75% of the employee population when developing a general understanding.
Answering the assessment as a team allows your employees to engage with each other. To allow that, you can arrange zoom meetings, Microsoft teams or share the survey online. Using this assessment, you can understand how much your employees know about sustainability and the topics where they need more training.
Use sustainability training to empower your employees
As you continue with the sustainability training, some employees might be misinformed or uninformed about some green practices. Some consider sustainability a passion, while others have no idea what sustainability is.
To get them to the same level, you need to do a sustainability training program. Teach topics like efficiency and resource use reduction, waste management, and reporting. That way, it will be easier for all employees to do their part in increasing your company’s sustainability.
You can also teach them how to live a sustainable lifestyle and how to change their habits. Some ways you can educate your employees on sustainability include peer-to-peer training, documentaries, and open discussions.
Have routine checkpoint discussions
Regular monitoring plus reliable communication is key in sustainability performance management. Holding checkpoint meetings allows you to keep the progress of the sustainability goals.
It also allows employees to raise any questions and concerns about the initiatives you choose to employ for sustainability. To easily schedule meetings and check the availability of your employees, you can use Google Calendar.
Stay inspired and motivated
Working remotely can take a toll on people, and no matter how advanced technology has become, it can never replace face-to-face interactions with peers. Employees can feel detached and eventually become demotivated to progress the company’s sustainability goals.
To add fun to the sustainability program, you can gamify some initiatives like having people compete to see who collects the most recyclables. You can also watch documentaries and have awards for the people with the most motivation.
Amplify the green impact
With employees in a different part of the country, there are more chances of your sustainability initiatives making a greater impact. Employees can engage in community sustainability activities by supporting clean energy businesses, outreach events, and using eco-friendly products.
Sustainability is not hard to achieve, even with employees working remotely. It has financial, environmental, and social benefits for your company and the employees.
