People Advisory Services and Sustainability

Corporate responsibility is more than “giving back” in good times. Companies prosper because of the contributions they make to society.

As ESG expands from a risk mitigation initiative to an enterprise-level transformation, corporations must commit to building a future where people have the best opportunity to thrive. Stakeholders – from investors to employees and the community – increasingly hold companies responsible for a balanced ESG strategy that supports corporate purpose and strategic vision. According to the EY 2022 Work Reimagined Survey, nearly half (43%) of employees surveyed are open to leaving their company for new roles. However, per the World Economic Forum’s The Future of Jobs Report 2020, this figure drops to 12% if employees believe their company is making a positive impact in the world.

Successful transformations, such as for ESG, require putting humans at the centre. The S pillar extends beyond diversity, equity and inclusiveness (DE&I) and employee wellbeing. S leaders prioritize culture, leadership, teaming, total rewards, belonging, behaviour change, learning and other areas to create a healthy planet for all humans, including employees at work and at home, employees’ families, customers, contingent workers and the communities in which companies operate.

Organizations with a balanced S:

• Proactively monitor and manage people-related compliance and risk management
• Apply an ESG filter to employees at work
• Enable behaviours, benefits and incentives to promote employee sustainability
• Advance employee initiatives and programs that create positive social impact and corporate citizenship

Organizations and leaders have significant new opportunities to shift the focus from an employee value proposition to a human value proposition and innovate people-first programs and solutions that meet regulatory requirements and stakeholder expectations. In doing so, they advance a path to healthy profits and a better world.