The global pandemic fast-forwarded us to a remote work future, delivering substantive sustainability benefits, but also forcing rebalance of work and life, and refocus on employee well-being.”
Erik Ipsen
Partner, ERM
Future of work
Photo credit: ERM, South Africa
Future of Work is the umbrella term for activities taking place to ensure that the way in which we are operating matches the world in which we are now working.
This is not just because of the changes forced upon us by COVID-19. It also reflects advancements in technology and our net-zero greenhouse gas emissions commitment. The sudden change in 2020 to the ways in which we work is quickly becoming institutionalized, even in professions that would never have even contemplated it before. As well as protecting our safety, it has also meant reduced, or zero commuting, flexible working patterns and more time for family, friends and exercise while productivity is sustained, if not increased. All of which and more has proved to many doubters that remote working can, and does, work. Nonetheless, we cannot ignore some of the more challenging impacts this change has brought with it, and these continue to be considered as we evolve the ERM operating model in relation to remote working.
As a business, in 2018 we made a significant commitment through the Science Based Target initiative to reduce our emissions. In FY20, the emissions from operating our offices and commuting to and from them each day contributed over 40% of our total emissions. The employee survey we conducted in October 2020, plus our industry research, tells us that the role of our offices is changing and that in the future, most of our employees expect to work an increased amount of time away from the office. The survey results showed the high value placed on having more flexibility in our working patterns.
With this information, we are actively reviewing every office lease that is due for renewal this year and thinking about its future. We are looking at options including reducing floor space in traditional offices, moving to managed offices or providing access to virtual offices. Our overall aim is to reduce our total office space globally to reflect working preferences and lower our emissions footprint while offering creative ways to support the collaboration and engagement that we most value about being in an office.
In FY21, ERM rose to the challenge and opportunity presented by a sudden and total shift to remote work by providing financial, technological, and training support to our employees. We also released an updated Travel Policy and guidance, which includes measures to reduce the emissions associated with organizational travel as well as additional guidance for client travel when we are able to do so again in the future. We continue to determine a new normal for:
- Engaging and collaborating with our colleagues, our clients and key stakeholders;
- How to manage workflows;
- Onboarding of new staff; and
- Unlocking new and more productive ways to create value and deliver on our commitments as a business.