From the Editor

How often have you thought about what our world will look like in five years? Ten years? Twenty years? Over recent weeks, I have been reflecting on what effect my daily living has on my family, my community and my world. When plastic bags were banned last year in New Zealand, it was the start of a mini-mission for me to wipe out more waste and lessen my carbon footprint on the world.

And this is precisely what this issue aims to address. Mother Earth is on everyone’s mind, and environmental concerns are fast becoming a fundamental expectation threading through our lives.

It’s common sense that businesses will only be successful in the long term when people live well within the limits of the planet. And so, as HR professionals, we have a role in shaping the changes driven by the sustainability movement. According to a recent global study carried out by PwC, future workplaces will be characterised by a strong social conscience, a sense of environmental responsibility, a focus on diversity, human rights and a recognition that business has an impact that goes well beyond the financial. Workers and consumers will demand that organisations do right by their employees and the wider world.

In this issue, we share insights from the Sustainable Business Council, Chris O’Reilly and Jo Cribb, amongst others. We are also lucky enough to have a guest feature written by Geoff Summers, who looks at changes to HR over the past three decades. Much can be learned from our past, and what we can do differently to create a lasting and an engaging future for our leaders, our teams and our organisations.

I am very grateful for the continued support of our regular contributors. Amongst others, Lane Neave brings us right up to date with upcoming immigration law, and we welcome Dundas Street Employment Lawyers to the fold, who will be providing relevant and practical employment law updates in this and upcoming issues.

Change does not come through wishful thinking. We hope this issue helps you begin or continue a process of identifying the impact you can have on your organisation, your economy and your society, so that the next five, 10 or 20 years are wholesome and sustaining for everyone.

Kathy Catton, Managing Editor, kathy.catton@hrnz.org.nz