Are You Leading a Socially Responsible and Sustainable Human Resource Function?

Social responsibility and sustainability are hot topics in business today. More than 75% of executives in a recent survey report that they plan to invest in sustainability because of benefits such as improved public opinion, customer relations and the ability to attract and retain talent. Socially responsible human resource management helps the business acquire, develop and manage employees while valuing them as investments. Socially responsible HRM extends the management imperative to balance the triple bottom line of people, planet and profit. Sustainability is broadly defined as "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." Without long-term sustainability, social responsibility efforts are simply public relations. Employees can tell the difference between intentions without action and long-term social responsibility. Socially responsible and sustainable firms reap benefits by attracting and retaining good employees.