Sustainable Human Resources Management

Arguably the path to becoming a sustainable business begins with acting in a socially responsible manner with respect to the company’s labor practices. One of the most important contributions that a business can make to society is creating jobs, paying wages and other compensation for work performed and providing meaningful and productive work to promote human development and improve standards of living. This chapter discusses how the social responsibilities of businesses with respect to their labor practices are being addressed through the evolving discipline of “sustainable” human resources management (HRM) and the role that HRM professionals can play in training and directing workers in carrying out their individual roles and responsibilities with respect to sustainability and initiating and administering programs and practices that enhance the long-term physical, social and economic well-being of workers.