HR Professional - February/March 2008 - (Page 49)

successful companies are those that not just a widget-producing worker. start with the chain at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. “We are constantly seeking healthy, sustainable options for our discerning guests,” says McCaffrey. “It is not without extra effort on the part of our team, but pursuing sustainability is one of the things that keeps me excited about the Fairmont brand,” he says. “After some travelling and a better understanding of what was happening globally, I realized I was doing all this great work for something I did not believe in. That’s when I started volunteering at WWF-Canada and pursuing my MBA with a focus on sustainability and nonprofit management,” says Da Ponte. Now Da Ponte has struck a balance where she gets to “walk her talk” with respect to her values, while leveraging her business acumen. for economic prosperity in a market of labour shortages, currency valuation reversals, offshore manufacturing and unprecedented demographic shifts. Soon it will simply not be enough to introduce a recycling program, participate in a United Way campaign or offer organic options in the corporate cafeteria. Embracing sustainability in a real and meaningful way is fast becoming a business necessity. Current and prospective employees will be scrutinizing companies with respect to their environmental policies and, more importantly, environmental performance. Of course, this is also great for the planet. Anthony M. Watanabe, PhD (www.sustainabilitycoaching.ca) is managing partner of Transition Plus Sustainability Solutions, a firm helping companies realize a Sustainable Future™ through sustainability coaching. Employee engagement For some workers, simply contemplating sustainability is not enough. There is a growing trend of young, intelligent employees leaving lucrative private sector jobs to marry their personal values with their professional goals. Monica Da Ponte, manager, marketing alliances for WWF-Canada, spent seven years with a leading consumer packaged goods company after completing her undergraduate degree. Greening up The upside for the planet is that all these companies are embracing sustainability and finding ways to make it relevant, both to external stakeholders and employees. Their efforts will go a long way to ﬁghting climate change, fostering innovation and positioning Canada Leading Service Sector Lost-Time Injuries Injury # 4 Heat Heat injuries – burns, scalds and temperature injuries accounted for more than 752 Lost-Time Injuries in the Ontario Service Sector in 2006… The total cost to industry was more than $644,662. The potential direct cost to your business from a single injury was $857. That’s money out of your pocket. We can help. Visit www.ossa.com/safetytips.cfm for a wide range of FREE downloadable safety check sheets and other resources that can help you build prevention and learn how to implement a Burn & Scald hazard prevention program in your workplace. Ontario Service Safety Alliance 1-888-478-6772 www.ossa.com w w w.H RThought L eader. c om1 347598_OntService.indd F e b r u a r y / M a r c h1:35:42 8 49 2 0 0 PM 11/24/07 http://www.sustainabilitycoaching.ca http://www.ossa.com http://www.HRThoughtLeader.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of HR Professional - February/March 2008

HR Professional - February/March 2008 Contents Editor's Letter Contributors Leadership Matters Boards By the Numbers Did You Know Sustainability Education News: E-Recycling Communications News: HR Study FYI Ethics World Watch News: Legislation Legal Compensation Focus Strategy The Colour of Money Sustainable Skills From Brown to Green HR Trends: From Winners to Also-Rans Branding Human Capital HR 101 Interview with David Suzuki Off the Shelf The Last Word

HR Professional - February/March 2008

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