28 Jun ESG IS DEAD. LONG LIVE ESG.; BUT … WHAT ABOUT MY RIGHTS?
ESG IS DEAD. LONG LIVE ESG.
While more than half of all ASX 200 CEOs and executive teams are now judged and compensated on their ability to achieve climate-related goals, 2024 was also the year that ESG talk gave way to ESG pragmatism.
With Australian climate regulation coming into effect over the next few months, companies are gradually realising the monumental scale of what it means to meet their ESG goals while still maintaining profitability. As a consequence, companies that missed their ambitious ESG targets are slowly walking them back.
Among the reasons given for throwing in the towel: Unclear or inconsistent regulation, insufficient government support, delays in the rollout or development of new technology, and concerns that they could be held legally accountable for failure to meet their publicly stated ESG goals.
BUT… WHAT ABOUT MY RIGHTS?
The “right to disconnect” laws come into play from August 26 for medium to large businesses, giving employees the right to ignore calls, emails and messages from their bosses outside of work hours.
The amendment has been a welcomed response to growing concerns of work-related mental health issues like burnout. ACTU president Michele O’Neil says workers will be able to “reasonably claim a level of work-life balance amid an increasingly tech-dominated society”.
But is this realistic for start-up workers? Honey Insurance founder Richard Joffe thinks not, telling the AFR that “this idea that you can … create wealth while sitting on the beach and finishing at five is just nonsense.”
AM I REALLY NEEDED?
Do you feel like most meetings are unproductive? You’re not alone. Microsoft research shows that inefficient meetings are the top productivity killer, with one-third deemed unnecessary.
Harvard Business Review emphasises the need to treat meetings as a part of company culture, especially in hybrid work. Before scheduling a meeting, ask yourself: What is the point of this meeting? Is everyone invited needed? Is there an agenda? How do we keep this meeting as short as possible? And so on.
Refining meetings minimises stress and frustration and creates a happier, more collegiate work environment – and of course saves everyone time too!
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