Institute a Work from Home Program with 25% of Staff Hours Teleworking
Background:
Working from home creates a benefit for many employees in the form of a better work-life balance resulting in greater wellness and less commute related stress. Telework also provides environmental benefits through energy savings and a reduction in pollution and gasoline consumption.
The Goal:
Silveredge sets a sustainability goal of a 25% reduction of in-office payroll hours.
Why is this goal important?
Work life balance is enhanced for many people who telework, reducing commute time in the daily lives of employees. Most experience less stress by being able to schedule appointments close to home, take care of loved ones when needed, and other desired activities consistent with being happy. Wellness in the workplace is a huge issue today, and helping employees improve their work-life balance is a valuable initiative.
With fewer cars on the road, less congestion is achieved reducing commute time for those who do report to the office. Less commuting also means less pollution and reduced gasoline consumption. Additionally, paper use will be decreased since employees will not print as much from home as in the office.
How does this goal fit with the United Nations Sustainability Goals?
In 2015, the United Nations identified 17 Goals for the planet to improve the lives of people globally by 2030. While Silveredge is a small company, we’re thrilled to contribute to these goals and to help promote an awareness of the UNSG 17. In September of 2019, world leaders at the SDG Summit recognized there are a mere 10 years left to achieve the goals. Accordingly, they have pressed for accelerated activity towards the vision.
We believe the sustainability goals we have identified support the following UNSG points:
Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: One initiative contained in the goal is to reduce the use of natural resources. We believe that the reduction of gasoline consumption and decreased paper use supports this initiative.
Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages: This goal contains specifics on the reduction of specific diseases and mortality rates as well as the reduction of deaths from traffic accidents. Decreased commuting reduces that risk. Generally, lowering stress reduces the risk for certain diseases and an improved work-life balance reduces stress, all of which supports this goal.
Goal 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts: The focus of this goal is the reduction of emissions. Reducing employee commuting by 25% will lower our impact on emissions to the extent that we have contributed to them in the past.
Success measures:
We expect that 25% of our payroll hours as a company will be logged by those working from home beginning with implementation and throughout the following year. System modifications will ensure accurate reporting.
After achieving our first-year goal, the company may consider increasing the percentage of work from home hours and increasing the goal.
Develop a Corporate Wellness Program
Background:
Worksite wellness programs have been studied for many years to understand the impact on worker health. There is a mountain of research to validate benefits and positive outcomes from developing a workplace wellness program. Specific reasons include improving employee health behaviors (which if not improved can lead to soaring health care costs), enhancement of workplace productivity, and decreased absenteeism.
The Goal:
Silveredge sets a sustainability goal of the implementation of a voluntary Corporate Wellness Program, starting from a baseline of 50% voluntary participation and increasing participation by 5% each quarter to achieve a year-end result of 65% employee participation.
Why is this goal important?
We believe that the use of the workplace to promote health is a winning proposition for both the company and employees. Our goal for having a successful wellness program is to encourage overall wellbeing while keeping the program relevant and valuable for all employees.
How does this goal fit with the United Nations Sustainability Goals?
In 2015, the United Nations identified 17 Goals for the planet to improve the lives of people globally by 2030. While Silveredge is a small company, we’re thrilled to contribute to these goals and to help promote an awareness of the UNSG 17. In September of 2019, world leaders at the SDG Summit recognized there are a mere 10 years left to achieve the goals. Accordingly, they have pressed for accelerated activity towards the vision.
We believe the sustainability goals we have identified support the following UNSG point:
Goal #3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages: The UN’s goal contains specifics on the reduction of diseases and mortality rates, especially in developing countries. Our program will include educational topics such as healthy nutrition and mental health.
How to achieve this goal?
By conducting employee survey(s) to evaluate the personal wellness interests and needs of employees, we can determine what benefits we might expect. Some examples of possible topics include the following:
- Stress reduction programs.
- Weight loss programs.
- Exercise programs and activities.
- Nutrition education.
A rewards system is incorporated into the program as a motivator and will include points that can be exchanged for goods, gifts celebrating accomplishments or monetary awards.
Success measures:
In addition to measuring participation levels, other measurements include:
- Positive feedback from employees.
- Overall improvement in employee satisfaction.
- Requests for additional programs.
- Reduction in sick days and absentees.
- Improvement in employee morale and retention.
At the end of the first program year, we may consider increasing the program offerings and increased participation levels.