Modifying work practices and equipment can help make processes and workplaces greener. Changes to work practices through awareness raising, modified procedures, and staff training require little cost and can have quick payback periods. Examining activities, identifying adjustments to reduce resource use and align with environmental efforts, and reviewing standard operating procedures are important ways to adjust work processes and systems to ensure lasting green changes. Staff participation is also key through involvement in developing sustainability initiatives, training, and recognition to spread good environmental practices more widely.

1. People, Systems &
Staff
GreenerWorkplacesandOperations
(Part2)

2. Greener Processes and Workplaces are
achieved by:
Modifying ways of
working
e.g. work practices, habits,
procedures
Modifying/replacing
equipment
PEOPLE SYSTEMS

3. Let’s look at how they work:
No/little cost
Changes in work
practices,
procedures,
habits
Awareness raising
+ participation +
training of staff, guest
engagement …
Modification of SOPs,
Checklists, ..
Some investment
required, but
payback period can
be less than 6
months
Compare technology
options, calculate
payback period for
investment, training
staff on the use of new
equipment
Changes in
equipment
Measure Before and
After
Good
Housekeeping in
all departments
& Process Control
Equipment
modification &
change

4. Why are systems important?
Because you need proper procedures and
processes in place to make sure certain
standards and practices are followed and
tasks are carried out effectively and
consistently.

5. Going greener is about adjusting work
processes and reviewing systems to
ensure real and lastingchange.

6. How?
1. Examine activities under a function
(i.e. room cleaning)

7. 1. Examine activities under a function (i.e. room
cleaning)
2. Identify where they can be adjusted so
as to consume less resources (energy,
water) and be aligned with the hotel
environmental efforts.

8. 1. Examine activities under a function (i.e. room
cleaning)
2. Identify where they can be adjusted so as to
consume less resources (energy, water) and be
aligned with the hotel environmental efforts.
3. Review relevant Standard Operating
Procedures and Checklists.

9. Adjusting workprocesses
andreviewingsystems
1. Examine activities under a function (i.e. room
cleaning)
2. Identify where they can be adjusted so as to
consume less resources (energy, water) and be
aligned with the hotel environmental efforts
3. Review relevant Standard Operating Procedures and
Checklists
4. Train staff on the changes

10. Why are ‘soft’ changes in work practices and
behaviour important? (People)
Because they are the main drivers of change.
They are the key factors in determining hotels
environmental impacts and resource efficiency.
They are the ones using equipment, electricity, water,
chemicals, etc -> great room for improved efficiency.
Low-cost compared to equipment changes.

11. Changes in work practices and behaviour
also have their challenges:
 Difficult changes to bring about.
 They need the knowledge, commitment and skills
to change the way they work and identify solutions
to environment-related problems at the workplaces.
 This specific knowledge/efforts is needed to
encourage staff and guests to participate and
contribute.

12. Staff Participation- WHY?
Staff perform key functions
and are the ones to adjust
work practices

13. Being “in the frontline”, they
can best identify problems and
ways to improve
Staff perform
key functions
and are the ones
to adjust work
practices
Staff Participation- WHY?

14. Staff Participation- WHY?
Being “in the
frontline”, they
can best identify
problems and
ways to improve
Opportunities for wider
cooperation staff/managers
Staff perform
key functions
and are the ones
to adjust work
practices

15. Being “in the
frontline”, they
can best identify
problems and
ways to improve
Opportunities
for wider
cooperation
staff/managers
Staff can help
spread good
environmental
practices in
their
households
and
communities
Staff perform
key functions
and are the ones
to adjust work
practices
Staff Participation- WHY?

16. Staff Participation- HOW?
Through dialogue with workers’ organization.
Increasing
understand &
awareness:
Why
sustainability
matters and
what it means
for my work
 Awareness raising
campaigns
 Staff activities
 Effective signage and
reminders
 Information sharing on
hotel environmental
programmes & results

17. Staff Participation- HOW?
Through dialogue with workers’ organization.
Involvement
Getting staff to
play a key part
in the
development &
implementation
of sustainability
initiatives from
the onset
 Staff-management
Teams
 Use of joint-problem
solving & participatory
 Suggestions schemes &
competitions
 Staff champions

18. Staff Participation- HOW?
Through dialogue with workers’ organization.
Training &
Skill Development
 Green as part of the
orientation
 In-house training
 External training
opportunities

19. Staff Participation- HOW?
Through dialogue with workers’ organization.
Recognition &
rewards to
staff contribution
to environmental
efforts:
 Gain-Sharing
 Staff Funds
 Green employee of the
month

20. NEXT…
Guest Engagement
for
Greener Hotel Operations