Green Human Resource Management and Sustainable Human Resource Practices

 


Introduction

Many organizations in the business world today have paid special attention to environmental sustainability. The concept of green human resource management (green HRM) refers to the use of human resource policies that support environmental protection and promote the sustainable use of resources (opatha.2019). In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many organizations have begun to adopt environmentally friendly practices such as paperless HR systems, online recruitment, and teleworking to reduce environmental impact and improve efficiency. Green HRM is not only about protecting the environment, but also about building a culture of responsibility and long-term sustainability within the organization.


Environmentally Friendly HR Practices

A key feature of green HRM is the use of paperless HR systems. Due to the use of digital HR systems such as Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS), many organizations have now eliminated the use of traditional methods such as printing employee documents, appointment letters or reports. This reduces paper usage, saves time and supports sustainability goals.

Online recruitment has become a popular method for employers and job seekers to save travel costs and time. As a result, job advertisements, interviews and selections are now conducted through online platforms instead of traditional paper-based applications.

Another example is working from home, which helps reduce carbon emissions from daily commuting. Especially during and after the pandemic, many Sri Lankan organizations have also realized the value of hybrid or remote working as a sustainable and cost-effective approach.

 

Creating an eco-friendly corporate culture

The Green HR Management division is focused on developing an eco-friendly corporate culture. This means encouraging employees to adopt environmentally responsible behaviors such as energy conservation, recycling, and proper waste management. To this end, the Human Resources Department motivates employees through awareness programs, training sessions, and organizing reward programs.

According to the Central Environmental Authority of Sri Lanka (2023), creating green workplace cultures is essential to achieving the national sustainability agenda. When employees understand that their organization values ​​environmental protection, it builds a sense of pride and commitment, and over time, these practices become part of the organization’s identity and also help strengthen its reputation among customers and stakeholders.


Sri Lankan Model

Several public and private sector organizations have initiated Green HR pilot projects, which are promoting sustainable human resource management in Sri Lanka. According to the Ministry of Labour (2024), the aim of these projects is to reduce paper usage, improve energy efficiency and encourage green work behavior among employees. Some departments are using digital leave management systems and virtual meeting platforms instead of printed documents and face-to-face meetings. These steps also show how Sri Lankan organizations are moving towards sustainable human resource management.

 


Conclusion

Green HR management plays an important role in creating a sustainable future for organizations and society, and practices such as paperless HR, online recruitment and telework not only reduce environmental damage but also improve efficiency and employee satisfaction. Building an environmentally friendly corporate culture helps organizations achieve a positive image and long-term success, and as can be seen from the initiatives of the Government of Sri Lanka, green human resource management is becoming a key strategy for achieving both economic and environmental sustainability.



References

• Ministry of Labour. (2024). Green Human Resource Pilot Projects in Sri Lankan Government Institutions. Colombo: Government of Sri Lanka.

• Opatha, H. H. D. N. P. (2019). Green Human Resource Management: Simplified General Reflections. Sri Lanka: University of Sri Jayewardenepura Press.

• Central Environmental Authority of Sri Lanka. (2023). National Green Workplace Programme. Colombo: Ministry of Environment.

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