Developing Workplace Policy

This article discusses the development and implementation of sustainable workplace policy. It covers the scope, review, role of managers, development and planning, stakeholders, implementation, initiatives, benefits, and supplier policy of sustainable workplace policy. It also provides insights into the responsibilities of managers and two sustainable initiatives. The article is relevant for students studying sustainability and workplace policy.

Running head: Developing Workplace Policy
DEVELOPING WORKPLACE POLICY

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Developing Workplace Policy
Table of Contents
1. The scope of sustainability policy...............................................................................................3
2. Reviewing the sustainability policy.............................................................................................4
3. Role of managers.........................................................................................................................4
4. Developing and planning sustainability policy............................................................................5
5. External and internal stakeholders...............................................................................................6
6. Implementation of sustainability policy......................................................................................7
7. Initiatives of sustainable policy...................................................................................................7
8. Reviewing BizOps sustainability policy......................................................................................8
9. Responsibilities of managers.......................................................................................................9
10. Benefits of sustainable policy....................................................................................................9
11. Two sustainable initiatives......................................................................................................10
12. Justification of revised strategy...............................................................................................10
13. Reviewing supplier policy.......................................................................................................11
References......................................................................................................................................11

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Developing Workplace Policy
1. The scope of sustainability policy
Procedures for continuous improvement Continuous improvement helps in minimizing
wastage of resources and use of scarce
resources for enhancing products and services
(Bleischwitz, Welfens & Zhang, 2017)
Supplier policy Suppliers need to supply hazardous substances
in adequate packaged materials for reducing its
spill or leakage
Resource acquisition policy Resources should be acquired in such a manner
that it serves the purpose of the company

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Developing Workplace Policy
Risk management policy Risks can be minimized by adopting adequate
safety measures
Reducing costs and ensuring the safety and
health of employees (Al Farooque, 2016)
Risk management procedures Provide compensation to employees and reduce
workplace accidents
Reporting to the supervisors regarding accidents
or injury in the workplace (Milano, O’Sullivan
& Gavanelli, 2014)
Table 1: Scope of sustainability policy
(Source: learner)
2. Reviewing the sustainability policy
Legislation Scope

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Developing Workplace Policy
Work Health and Safety Act 2011 It ensures sustainability policy by reducing
wastes and recycling them for better use
Occupational Health and Safety Act 2011 It ensures sustainability policy by providing a
clean and suitable environment for employees
Fair Work Act 2009 It ensures that all the employees are given
equal opportunity to work in the company
without any discrimination
Table 2: Legislations about sustainability policy
(Source: learner)
3. Role of managers
Questions to managers Responses

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Developing Workplace Policy
What are the current sustainable practices in
your company?
Reduction of wastes, undertaking recycling
and use of eco-friendly substances are the
practices which have been implemented for
ensuring sustainable policies.
How can sustainable policy help the
company?
Sustainable policy can help the company to
reduce its costs and earn a good reputation in
the emerging market
Table 3: Questions of sustainability policy
(Source: learner)
4. Developing and planning sustainability policy

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Developing Workplace Policy
Sources Information
Renewable energy resources Increases energy efficiency and use clean
energy for better manufacturing
Water treatment plant (Bleischwitz et al., 2017) is of the view that it
helps in treating wastewater before leaving in
water bodies
Safety standards Complying with safety measures and giving
adequate compensation in case of accidents
Media Providing adequate information regarding the
implementation of sustainable policies and

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Developing Workplace Policy
procedures (Di Gregorio et al., 2017)
Table 4: Sources
(Source: learner)
5. External and internal stakeholders
Stakeholders Influence
Employees (internal) Employees play a vital role in ensuring good
workplace practices and executing sustainable
practices
Board of members (internal) They influence the employees to adopt
sustainable practices which help in creating
the brand image

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Developing Workplace Policy
Investors (external) They invest more in the company that
implement sustainable business practices and
policies
Customers (external) They influence the company to reduce
harmful emissions and adopt eco-friendly
substances
Suppliers (external) Agdas, Srinivasan, Frost & Masters (2015)
commented that suppliers ensure that
hazardous substances are kept in adequate
packaging for preventing any kind of leakage
and spilling
Table 5: influence of external and internal stakeholders
(Source: learner)

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Developing Workplace Policy
6. Implementation of sustainability policy
Implementing sustainable policy helps in reducing costs and earning the trust of
customers as it shows that the company is complying with environmental oriented practices. The
inadequate sustainable policy creates an economic burden as companies need to shell out more
money for its increased operational costs. Sancha, Longoni & Giménez (2015) stated that it had
been found that sustainable business practices help in establishing a positive relationship
between the employees with those of customers. Customers have become more mindful of
emissions, carbon footprint, eco-friendly consumption, and air quality before purchasing
products.
7. Initiatives of sustainable policy
Sustainability initiatives Steps
Adopting renewable energy Using renewable energy for electricity and
getting clean energy
Using eco-friendly substances Using biodegradable substances for packaging

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Developing Workplace Policy
and labeling of products
Water systems Setting up of water systems for treating
wastewater before releasing it into water
bodies (Adebanjo, Teh & Ahmed 2016)
Setting up of warehouses Warehouses should be set up near
manufacturing units to reduce transportation
costs and pollution in the environment
Reduction in wastage Wastes are reduced through the proper use of
scarce resources and types of equipment that
help in the proper production
Table 6: Initiatives of sustainable policy
(Source: learner)

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Developing Workplace Policy
8. Reviewing BizOps sustainability policy
The sustainability policy of the company is concerned with adopting green energy
practices, maintaining environmental standards, reducing emissions, carbon footprint and using
eco-friendly substances. Iaquinto (2016) is of the view that implementation of sustainable policy
ensures that the company has been able to build an effective relationship with internal and
external stakeholders. Sustainable water systems help in treating wastewater before letting it in
water bodies. It can help the company to create its brand image and earn a good reputation in the
emerging market. The sustainable policy helps in reducing costs and ensuring company to be
responsible for its actions.
9. Responsibilities of managers
It is the responsibility of the managers to adopt and implement the sustainable policy so
that the company can earn a good reputation in the market. According to Epstein (2018), they
ensure that it implements sustainable green supply chain management practices for better
production and delivery of products and services. Sustainability managers ensure that company
adheres to sustainable environmental practices for reducing environmental pollution. Also, the
HR managers have the responsibility of giving proper training to employees so that they are
aware of their roles and responsibilities in implementing sustainable policy. Supervising
managers have the responsibility of monitoring and reviewing activities for ensuring
sustainability practices.

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Developing Workplace Policy
10. Benefits of sustainable policy (flyer)
Listing the policy
 Green energy practices
 Using eco-friendly substances
 Reducing carbon emissions
 Reducing wastage
Main initiatives
 Implementing adequate safety practices
 Keeping hazardous substances in a closed place
 Treating wastage before letting out
 Using clean energy
Responsible person
 Manager
 Employees

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Developing Workplace Policy
11. Two sustainable initiatives
Two sustainable initiatives are using renewable energy and eco-friendly substances.
These can help in enhancing the image of the company and maintain an effective relationship
with customers. For undertaking these activities, the hazardous substances need to be kept in a
closed space, and adequate safety measures need to be implemented for better operations.
Renewable resources should be used to getting electricity and clean fuel. These are to be
assigned to managers to be sure that the company does not violate its sustainable policies. Also,
the managers are required to monitor and review safety standards to reduce risks in the
workplace. Høgevold et al., (2015) stated that keeping of records helps the managers in
understanding safety hazards and problems that are occurring in the workplace. In this case, the
managers are required to keep records of the violation of safety standards and give reports to
supervisor.
12. Justification of revised strategy
The sustainability strategy of BizOps for installing rainwater tank is cost effective as it
can help in reducing excessive costs and preventing accidents. It can help in saving rainwater and
reducing water wastage for better operations. Replacing of old toilets with new one ensures that
the company is concerned with safety and hygiene of people. It will help in the collection of
rainwater in locations rather in the large tank in the head office that will help in saving space.
However, other option can be of storing rainwater in rooftops to use them in toilets and other

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Developing Workplace Policy
purposes. Also, the use of advanced types of equipment and technology can help in reducing
water wastage.
13. Reviewing supplier policy
Policy of suppliers Policy of purchasing Purchasing procedures
Providing eco-friendly
substances and clean energy
through the use of renewable
resources
For purchasing it is required
to consult with the board of
members, employees,
managers, and investors for
better implementation
Adequate communication and
consultation regarding pricing
systems
This can help in the proper
use of renewable resources
over non-renewable
resources.
Table 7: Reviewing supplier policy
(Source: learner)

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Developing Workplace Policy
References
Book
Epstein, M. J. (2018). Making sustainability work: Best practices in managing and measuring
corporate social, environmental and economic impacts. Routledge. Retrieved on 11 Jan
2018 from https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/9781351280112
Journals
Adebanjo, D., Teh, P. L., & Ahmed, P. K. (2016). The impact of external pressure and
sustainable management practices on manufacturing performance and environmental
outcomes. International Journal of Operations & Production Management, 36(9), 995-
1013. Retrieved on 11 Jan 2018 from
http://gala.gre.ac.uk/14199/186/14199_ADEBANJO_Impact_of_External_Pressure_(AA
M)_2016.pdf
Agdas, D., Srinivasan, R. S., Frost, K., & Masters, F. J. (2015). Energy use assessment of
educational buildings: Toward a campus-wide sustainable energy policy. Sustainable
Cities and Society, 17, 15-21. Retrieved on 11 Jan 2018 from
https://eprints.qut.edu.au/82213/2/BRS%20Energy%20Efficiency%20Article_Accepted
%20Version.pdf
Al Farooque, O. (2016). Sustainable financial reporting practice in Australian companies-does
quality matter?. The Journal of Developing Areas, 50(6), 175-189. Retrieved on 11 Jan
2018 from https://www.aabss.org.au/system/files/published/001077-published-icbss-
2016-dubai.pdf

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Developing Workplace Policy
Bleischwitz, R., Welfens, P., & Zhang, Z. (Eds.). (2017). Sustainable growth and resource
productivity: economic and global policy issues. Routledge. Retrieved on 11 Jan 2018
from https://www.eastwestcenter.org/publications/sustainable-growth-and-resource-
productivity-economic-and-global-policy-issues
Di Gregorio, M., Nurrochmat, D. R., Paavola, J., Sari, I. M., Fatorelli, L., Pramova, E., ... &
Kusumadewi, S. D. (2017). Climate policy integration in the land use sector: Mitigation,
adaptation and sustainable development linkages. Environmental Science & Policy, 67,
35-43. Retrieved on 11 Jan 2018 from
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1462901116305883
Høgevold, N. M., Svensson, G., Klopper, H. B., Wagner, B., Valera, J. C. S., Padin, C., ... &
Petzer, D. (2015). A triple bottom line construct and reasons for implementing
sustainable business practices in companies and their business networks. Corporate
Governance, 15(4), 427-443. Retrieved on 11 Jan 2018 from
https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/60222/1/H_gevold_etal_CG_2015_A_triple_bottom_line_
construct_and_reason.pdf
Iaquinto, B. L. (2016). Strengths and weaknesses of using mixed methods to detect the
sustainable practices of backpackers: a reflexive account. Journal of Cleaner
Production, 111, 479-486. Retrieved on 11 Jan 2018 from http://bit.ly/2CUDofz
Milano, M., O’Sullivan, B., & Gavanelli, M. (2014). Sustainable policy making: A strategic
challenge for artificial intelligence. AI Magazine, 35(3), 22-35. Retrieved on 11 Jan 2018
from https://www.aaai.org/ojs/index.php/aimagazine/article/view/2534
Sancha, C., Longoni, A., & Giménez, C. (2015). Sustainable supplier development practices:
Drivers and enablers in a global context. Journal of Purchasing and Supply

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Developing Workplace Policy
Management, 21(2), 95-102. Retrieved on 11 Jan 2018 from
https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/7047/2ba2dea46f53abe35ecaf66049204c925f45.pdf