As I was browsing through one of ASE’s member exclusive tools, CCH AnwsersNow, I came across a new Deloitte report that reveals an interesting emerging trend: human sustainability. The report, developed in collaboration with independent research firm Workplace Intelligence, highlights a growing demand for companies to prioritize the well-being, development, and inclusivity of their workforce, a concept encapsulated in the term "human sustainability."

According to the survey, a majority of CEOs – around 80% – feel pressure from various stakeholders, including employees, customers, and board members, to improve their organization’s human sustainability practices. Companies should create an employee value proposition that goes beyond compensation, but also enhances the health, skills, and overall well-being of their people.

Leaders are responding to this challenge. 88% of executives expressed a willingness to tie their compensation to human sustainability metrics, underscoring their commitment to this cause. 71% believe that leadership changes are necessary if companies fail to advance in this area.  Both the organization and its employees benefit from human sustainability.

Other key findings from the report include:

• 82% of executives believe their company is advancing human sustainability, but just 56% of workers agree. In fact, some leaders fail to recognize that for most people surveyed, work is a negative rather than a positive force in their lives.
• Around 90% of executives believe that working for their company has a positive effect on employee well-being, skills development, career advancement, inclusion and belonging, and their sense of purpose and meaning. However, just 60% (or fewer) of workers agree.
• Workforce well-being – a key component of human sustainability – continues to need focus, but many executives may not be aligned with what their worker sentiment reveals. Only around 1 out of 3 workers say their physical (34%), mental (32%), financial (35%) and social (31%) well-being improved last year. However, at least 7 out of 10 executives believe these well-being dimensions improved for their people.
• Around 7 out of 10 workers say if their organization increased its commitment to human sustainability, this would improve their overall experience at work (72%) and increase their engagement and job satisfaction (71%), productivity (70%), desire to stay with their company long-term (70%), and trust in their company’s leadership (69%).

This report makes it apparent that there is a disconnect between leaders and employees on their perception of the level of well-being within an organization. Leaders should be sure they are connecting regularly with their employees and have a good pulse on the human sustainability in their organization. View the full report here.

How do you measure human sustainability in your organization? Email me at mcorrado@aseonline.org.