Calum Smith from Copacetic Business Solutions, one of RE[act] Festival’s supporter organisations, explores how climate change is affecting employment law and what HR can do to prepare businesses and employees for the future.
1. Health and Safety: Protecting Employees in a Changing Climate
With the increase in extreme weather events like heatwaves, storms, and flooding, workplace safety has become more complex. Employees working in vulnerable conditions, such as construction or outdoor services, face new risks that we must address.
For example, the UK had a massive heatwave in 2022, with temperatures reaching 40 degrees in London, this caused many issues within businesses as employees still had to wear full suits to work and were getting in trouble for wearing shorts!
As HR leaders, we need to ensure health and safety policies reflect these new realities. This could mean adjusting risk assessments to account for the heat, providing safety equipment, or offering remote work options during severe weather.
2. Remote and Flexible Work: A Sustainable Approach
Sustainability is driving the shift toward remote and flexible work, which reduces commuting and office energy use. While many employees appreciate the flexibility, others may feel isolated or lack proper home office setups. Remote & Hybrid working is the future of a lot of working set ups, and organisations who want to be more sustainable should embrace these changes and put together remote working policies which provide a framework that supports both employers and employees to succeed and also comply with employment legislation.
3. Supporting Employee Transitions in Green Business Transformations
As businesses transition to more sustainable practices, such as reducing emissions or switching to renewable energy, employees often face changes in their roles. Some will need to reskill, while others may worry about job security.
It’s important to manage these transitions fairly, ensuring employees are given training opportunities for green jobs and that any restructuring follows the legal framework.
Clear communication and support during this time can help ease employees’ concerns and make them feel more secure about their future within the company.
4. Updating Employment Contracts for Sustainability
Employment contracts need to evolve with the times, reflecting climate related changes in business operations. For example, contracts might include green clauses that encourage and incentivise sustainable behaviours, such as cycle to work schemes.
HR must ensure these clauses are fair and reasonable, avoiding any unwanted burdens on employees. Additionally, contracts could address extreme weather instances, such as options for remote work or adjusted schedules in case of the inability to get to work, for example during floods.
5. Staying Ahead of Climate Regulations
Climate change legislation is evolving rapidly, and HR needs to stay proactive. New regulations such as carbon taxes or mandatory sustainability reporting will impact business operations and workforce practices.
By working closely with legal and sustainability teams, HR can ensure that businesses remain compliant with current laws while also preparing for future regulatory changes. Leading in this space demonstrates a commitment to both the environment and employee well-being.
At Copacetic Business Solutions we provide all up to date legal compliance with current and new laws, ensuring your business is always legally compliant!
Final Thoughts
Climate change is reshaping how businesses operate, and HR is at the centre of these transformations. By maintaining updated policies, supporting employees through change, and leading with empathy, people professionals can help create workplaces that are both sustainable and resilient.
It’s about balancing the needs of the business with the needs of the people ensuring that we’re building a future that works for both people and the planet. As people Professionals, Copacetic Business Solutions are proud to support the RE[act] Festival which has put ‘Poople’ as one of it’s three central themes, and we look forward to putting people at the centre of the city wide conversation as part of the RE[act] Festival’s diverse program of events.
For more information on Copacetic Business Solutions, visit https://copaceticbusinesssolutions.co.uk/
