With the state of global warming increasing at a danger rate all people should make an effort to use environmentally friendly products and create less pollution. People for the most part have been ignoring their social responsibility. A fine balance needs to be found between human beings and nature. “Humans and nature” problems press in upon us from all sides.
We are all becoming–or should be becoming–more cognizant of global warming; ecologically unsustainable cities and agricultural practices; the overuse of antibiotics in our health care systems and on our factory farms; the global crash of ocean fisheries; a human population and use of natural resources that is squeezing out other forms of life; the pollution and degradation of our air, soil, and water” (Donnelley). Global warming is happening and it is the responsibility of organizations, both small and large, to adapt their work environments and make them environmentally friendly.
The first step is for everyone to accept their responsibility to the environment and change the way they effect global warming. “Studies indicate that the public’s attitude toward the environment has shifted in the past few decades. Belief that the environment is a resource to be fully exploited has given way to belief that humans are a part of the environment and cannot alter it with impunity. This new set of attitudes has been adopted not only by portions of the general public but also by parts of the business community” (Boiarsky, Long, and Zimmerman 29).
Organizations have the ability to become environmentally friendly and there are many ways that a manager can create a friendly atmosphere; by planning, organizing, leading, and controlling environmentally friendly work environment managers are executing their social responsibility to the environment. Planning is essential for managers to create and environmentally friendly workplace. Managers plan everything from daily routines to staff meetings to company picnics, and in turn have the ability to plan environmentally friendly work environments.
Planning determines the nature of actions and responsibilities needed to achieve the project goal. It entails the development of alternate courses of action and the selection of the best action to achieve the objectives making up the goal. “Planning bridges the gap from “where we are” to “where we want to go. ” It makes it possible for things to occur which would not otherwise happen. In an overall managerial sense, planning is a function that is intellectually demanding and the most basic of all managerial functions.
Planning should logically precede the execution of the management functions of organizing, staffing, directing, and controlling. It is a function of management which is unique in that it provides direction for all group effort” (Mercer 18). Brainstorming is the first step in the planning process and is an effective way to begin the process of executing an environmentally friendly work space which exhibits the coined phrase recycles, reduce, reuse. A company can also evaluate all ways they can reduce waste. These methods can be simple or complex but will vary with each individual company.
Planning an environmentally friendly work atmosphere includes evaluating current work methods. It is also important to take into consideration the fact that businesses. Reviewing policies and setting up recycling work stations is a first step. All organizations can reduce the amount of paper waste by communicating through emails instead of paper memos. Companies can also institute a paper box in which people can reuse paper that was printed on only one side for drafts and informal printing. “When a waste material can be reused as in recycling or when a “new use” can be found for the materials, several advantages occur.
Disposal costs are reduced or eliminated, and raw material purchase costs are also reduced” (“What is Pollution Prevention”). Companies can also purchase already recycled office paper and look for various ways to reduce waste. Organization is important at this stage because the manager needs to have all of the materials together and begin putting them in place to create an environmentally friendly work environment that meets the needs of their employees. Organizing an environmentally friendly work environment can prove to be a difficult yet fun task.
Research shows “While individuals were (and remain) keen on recycling, it still had to be rendered simple, convenient and gratifying” (Ungar). Creating a convenient system is vital for the recycling program to be effective. “Both on-site and off-site recycling programs are available for a variety of waste products” (“What Is Pollution Prevention? “). A manager needs to evaluate both on and offsite facilities and determine the best alternatives for their organization. Managing a new idea a difficult task and organizing helps a manager to apply the basic management functions to make an organisation more environmentally friendly.
Great organization skills allow a manager to communicate effectively and relay the new work environment to staff. Although wanted or needed change can be difficult for some employees to accept. Organization on the part of a manager is essential because in enables employees to see the task at hand. Quite often employees need clear and straight cut guidelines to follow especially when a new task is at hand. Organization on the part of the manager should ensure that these resources are readily available to employees.
This can be done through introduction of the benefits, rules, and regulations off the environmentally friendly work environment at staff meetings and through newly created employee literature. Leading a group of people through a new environment can be a difficult thing to do. Relaying ideas of course is the first step for leaders as they need to enforce the new techniques as well. “Leaders articulate their vision and values, and commit to creating a great workplace” (Stopper). In an ideal world the wants and desires for an environmentally friendly work place would be apparent.
But people are use to convenience. Managers can be mentors for an environmentally friendly atmosphere. “The mentor (or manager) acts as a source of information, emotional support and offers suggestions for handling difficult situations. They also have a good working knowledge of the organizational culture and can help new employees acclimatize to a new working environment. They will also be familiar with the company’s policies and know what to do if things go wrong. The mentor can help create a supportive work environment conducive to a highly productive and happy working team.
Often this is achieved by the mentor working as a role model” (Peyton 31). Being a successful leader is vital in creating an environmentally healthy work environment. Sharing literature, educating the staff about the benefits of an environmentally friendly work atmosphere, and finally leading by example are ways the manager can create and sustain this environmentally friendly atmosphere. It is suggested that a successful leader has great” social and political skills — as opposed to hard performance skills — are rewarded in real organizations” (Korukonda).
If employees are unable to see the environmental benefits of recycling then the business benefits should be reinforced. “Businesses have strong incentives to reduce the toxicity and sheer volume of the waste they generate. A company with an effective, ongoing pollution prevention plan may well be the lowest-cost producer and have a significant competitive edge. The cost per unit produced will decrease as pollution prevention measures lower liability risk and operating costs.
The company’s public image will also be enhanced” (What Is Pollution Prevention? “). Leaders have the able to relate to all types of people and must be prepared with facts and answers for all potential questions concerning a new program such as this. Control is a skill that must be mastered. A successful manager needs to be able to control all aspects of their environment to a certain extent. Managerial control “involves the monitoring and evaluation of plans, activities, and results with a view toward future action” (Julian, and Scifres).
An effective control system is one that evaluates potential errors and/or conflicts and nixes them before they occur (Julian, and Scifes). Control as a concept is a great idea. Overseeing all aspects of an environmentally friendly work place and making sure ever aspect it is running effectively can be a fun and creative task. London is taking a conscious step encouraging residents to purchase eco-friendly cars. “London council has announced it is to give drivers of eco-friendly cars free residents’ parking permits” saving citizens over 110 pounds a year (“Free parking for”).
This of course and a great incentive offered by the city and companies need to follow such an example and offer incentives to encourage employees to take a step towards recycling, reducing, or reusing. Creating an incentive and/or reward program will ensure the environmentally friend work environment is a success within the company. Even small incentives are great motivators. As a whole the concept of an incentive program will help companies take one step closer to claiming their social responsibility. All people have a social responsibility to respect the environment.
If companies and managers together do not take a stand and create environmentally friendly work areas they are knowingly contributing to a world wide problem. This behavior for individuals in leadership roles is unacceptable. Ignoring a problem does not make it go away. In today’s fast paced, convenient world it is often easy to over looks one’s action throughout the day. Environmental consciousness is something all people are aware of. There comes a time when people loose this consciousness and need to be reminded of their responsibility to act in a way that is positive for the environment a.
There are four basic structures of management that have with held the task of time, planning, organizing, controlling, and commanding/leading (Korukonda). These tasks of planning, organizing, controlling, and leading make an environmentally friendly work atmosphere easy to obtainable and very manageable once enacted. Reducing the effects of global warming needs immediate attention; Companies and managers have a responsibility to lead their employees in the right direction to benefit the earth, the company, and the employees.
