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- 🌿 going green while the leaves turn brown
🌿 going green while the leaves turn brown
fall workplace sustainability moves that boost talent retention and ROI
In partnership with
Howdy HR friends!👋
Hope you’re all having a great Tuesday so far!
Today we’re pondering sustainability initiatives in the workplace.
We know some of you will be attending NYC Climate Week, so the timing couldn’t be better to kick start some green programs for the office!
🚦Coming up
In today’s edition
🌍 Why Workplace Sustainability Matters Now More Than Ever
🛋️ The Break Room: What's your workplace's approach to sustainability this fall? Cast your vote!
📚 Human Readsources: The 4-hour productivity rule that's changing workdays, how layoffs impact company ratings, and what HR needs to know about H-1B visa fee increases.
💭Opening thoughts
The leaves may be orange, but the office could be greener.
Will you be the fall king this year?
Did you know that 50% of today's workforce actively seeks employers committed to environmental sustainability, making green initiatives a critical factor in talent attraction and retention?
As temperatures cool this fall, the strategic implementation of workplace sustainability programs heats up opportunities for enhanced brand reputation, operational cost savings, and meaningful employee engagement.
HR departments stand at the perfect intersection to champion these eco-friendly changes, leveraging their unique position to align company values with environmental stewardship while measuring the tangible impacts on culture and performance.
Discover how seasonal sustainability initiatives, from digital-first documentation to energy-efficient office adjustments, can transform your workplace this autumn. And deliver both immediate environmental benefits and long-term competitive advantages in an increasingly conscious marketplace.
For easy reading
Today’s edition is presented by
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🧠Let’s unpick
🌍 Why Workplace Sustainability Matters Now More Than Ever
Sustainability has shifted from a "nice-to-have" corporate initiative to an essential business strategy.
As fall approaches, HR leaders have a unique opportunity to implement green practices that align with seasonal changes while demonstrating environmental leadership.
The challenge? Translating high-level sustainability concepts into practical workplace actions that employees will actually embrace and that leadership will support financially.
The business case is compelling: 85% of investors now consider ESG criteria in their decisions, while 71-75% of Millennials and Gen Z prioritize employers with strong environmental commitments.
According to research, digital transformation alone can reduce an organization's carbon footprint by up to 30% through paperless processes and remote work options.
These aren't just feel-good statistics – they represent real competitive advantages in talent attraction and retention.
Ready to make your workplace greener this fall? Start by establishing employee-led sustainability committees to drive engagement, conduct a quick environmental audit to identify low-hanging fruit (like single-use plastics in break rooms), and implement seasonal initiatives like tree-planting programs or green commuting challenges.
Remember: the most successful sustainability programs balance authentic environmental impact with measurable business benefits.
Let’s try and avoid the dreaded "greenwashing" trap that today's employees can spot a mile away.
You can read more at...
👀Too long didn’t read
TLDR
This fall, leverage HR's unique position to implement practical green initiatives that engage employees, reduce environmental impact, and deliver measurable business benefits.
Today’s edition is also presented by
The best HR advice comes from those in the trenches. That’s what this is: real-world HR insights delivered in a newsletter from Hebba Youssef, a Chief People Officer who’s been there. Practical, real strategies with a dash of humor. Because HR shouldn’t be thankless—and you shouldn’t be alone in it.
🎬Lights, camera, action!
Takeaway and try
🌱 Start an employee-led sustainability committee this fall by inviting representatives from each department to share the wasteful practices they've observed in their areas. This grassroots approach creates immediate buy-in and uncovers practical solutions you might never spot from HR.
📊 Translate sustainability efforts into business metrics that leadership cares about. Like how going paperless reduces costs or how your green initiatives are attracting top talent. When you speak the language of ROI, you'll find budget approvals come much easier.
🚲 Launch a seasonal "Green Commute Challenge" where employees track and share alternative transportation methods, with small rewards for participation. Fall's mild weather makes this the perfect time to encourage cycling, carpooling, or public transit before winter arrives.
☕ Eliminate single-use items in break rooms by providing branded reusable alternatives as thoughtful employee gifts. People are far more likely to ditch disposables when they have an attractive, convenient option they actually want to use.
🔄 Digitize one paper-heavy HR process each month, starting with the most wasteful one your team identified during your coffee chat.
☕The break room
What’s your take?
📚Additional reading
Human Readsources
⏱️ 4-Hour Rule Transformed Bestseller's Writing Process (Inc.) - Bestselling author discovered four-hour limit for quality creative work.
📉 Layoffs Damage Company Ratings for Years, Study Shows (HR Dive) - Layoffs damage company ratings and employee morale for years.
💼 Trump Adds $100,000 Fee to H-1B Visas (HR Dive) - Trump adds $100,000 fee to H-1B visa petitions.
That’s it for today.
Thanks for reading to the end and we hope today’s edition sparked some new ideas for your workplace! 🧠
We know you’re super busy and really appreciate you saving some room for us in your inbox 😀
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