HR as Strategic Business Partner to Green Initiatives in the Workplace

1. Green Initiatives
in your Workplace
C H R I SS Y G O D F R E Y, M B A , S P H R
C O N S U LTA N T W I T H
H R B I Z PA RT N E R S

2. Definitions
According to the authors of The Down-to-Earth
Guide to Global Warming:
Going Green is “the adoption of a sustainable
lifestyle that respects the environment while
actively working to curb our carbon footprint
and leave the world better than we found it.”
The Environmental Protection Agency definition:
Sustainability is “meeting the needs of the
present without compromising the ability of
future generations to meet their own needs.”

3. Value
 Social Responsibility
 The Right Thing
 Leadership in your industry
 Differentiation (company brand or product)
 Customer loyalty
 74% of customers consider a company’s environmental
practices before making a decision on what products to buy
 Expense reduction
 Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
 Revenue generation
 Increased profits due to cost reduction
 Increased revenue due to market share and customer loyalty

4. Sustainability Programs
California Closets as a case study
• Implementation of green initiatives
• We sought information (Green MBA student project)
• We had a process and a timeline
• We put together a Green Team
• We involved all employees
• We had the support of management
• We communicated regularly on the status of our
initiatives and what was coming next

5. Action Plan
• Energy – reduce usage and expense
• Energy efficient light bulbs
• Motion sensors (auto shut off)
• Use overhead or lamp, not both
• Set thermometers at appropriate levels and turn off HVAC at night
• Turn off computers and peripherals at night; install energy star
• Supplies – reduce usage and expense; more recycled products
• Switched and consolidated office supply vendor (cost saving and reduction
of GHG for multiple deliveries)
• Switched vendors for printer supplies; soy-based ink; recycle cartridges
• Encouraged supply sharing and kept stock at minimum
• Make double-sided copies, or none at all
• Waste – reduce waste and expense by changing activities
• improved recycling throughout the building
• changed drinking habits; installed water filtration system
• Provided dishware, “to go” mugs, reusable bags, tupperware

6. Action Plan
• Vendor selection - look at environmental practices of current
and potential vendors
• Switched marketing vendor, used soy based ink, wind powered plant
• Increased business with a vendor FSC certified; LEED compliant
• Travel – reduce all forms of travel
• Off site employees limited trips to corporate and franchise locations
• Corporate employees limited travel for training, bring in house, use technology
• Proposed telecommute and flex schedules as well as carpooling
• Educate and inform employees, franchisees and customers
• Green updates provided at management and all staff meetings
• Monthly newsletter articles with helpful tips and regular progress reports
• Sustainability Promise and Action Plan shown on website
• Posted information and statistics in the kitchen
• Other
– Provided more bins (repurposed empty boxes) and signage for recycling
– Changed to environmentally friendly cleaning products
– Donated used items and computer equipment to nonprofits

7. Implementation Strategies
 Support from leadership
 Build partnerships within your organization
 Network with “like-minded” colleagues and join professional
associations
 Start small or pilot projects
 Advertise your successes through newsletters, e-mail or
company meetings
 Provide a process for suggestions and praise
 Volunteer in your community to learn more and set an
example; incentives for employees to volunteer

8. Resources
 Websites and newsletters
 www.idealbite.com
 www.greenbuzz.com
 www.treehugger.com
 www.greenoffice.com
 Join the Green Chamber of Commerce
 www.greenchamberofcommerce.net
 Network – use on-line and off-line forms of networking
 Legislation watch – join California Chamber of Commerce
 States are piloting legislation for employees to ‘telework’ and work
compressed schedules to reduce traffic and pollution