Everyday Hacks to Make Your Office Embody Ethical Values
Creating an ethical office today is not just about including eco-friendly details – it’s about ensuring none of your choices are harmful to the planet or the people around you. There are many things to keep in mind when doing so, from the way you commute to smaller details like your personal accessories. So, here are a few little things you can do every day that would transform your office into an embodiment of ethical values.
Paperless whenever possible
In this day and age, there really aren’t many reasons for using paper when most of the things can be written, stored, and viewed on the computer. So, make use of all the benefits of technology, and don’t print anything unless absolutely necessary. And when you do have to print something, like presentation handouts, office rules, or similar, make sure to use the paper to its full potential. As silly as this sounds, you can always use it to write down notes or, if you have kids, you can bring the paper scraps home for them and let them scribble on it.
Use the right office supplies
Assuming your work requires you to use a notebook, pen, scissors, staplers, and other typical office supplies, think about what you’re using. It’s easy to go into the first store and simply get what you need, but that’s not the most ethical choice to make. Nowadays, there are many alternative choices, like notebooks made of recycled paper, waste-free staplers, or refillable bamboo pens. Moreover, there are also quality office supplies that would simply last longer, and their durability makes them an ethical choice. So, look it up, see where you can get such tools, and you’ll never feel guilty about using them every day.
Save water
Now, this is something both ethical and eco-friendly. It’s also definitely very important today. In the modern world, water still does not look like a problem, but make no mistake, the amount of drinkable water on our planet is depleting. So, be responsible when using it. Don’t leave it running, don’t take an hour-long bath in the morning, and simply don’t use it more than you actually need it. Moreover, if you are a business owner, consider installing some water-saving fixtures in your office. It’s a great way to reduce the amount of water you use, especially when it comes to things you can’t generally control, like how much water goes into a single toilet flush.
Educate your employees
It’s not enough just for you to care about your environment and people – you want people working for you to care as well. After all, they represent your company just as much as your products do, so you want them to share your values. For this to happen though, you need to educate them about the importance of being both ethical and eco-friendly. You can do so by organizing short seminars from time to time, coming up with eco-friendly office rules, and perhaps even rewarding them for ethical behavior, like cycling to work or using their own reusable water bottle instead of constantly buying more plastic.
Encourage healthier modes of transport
Walking to work or cycling is not just better for the environment but also healthier for you, as it allows you to be active and do some exercising, which is something we all need. However, some people prefer to drive a car simply because it’s more convenient, and some are also afraid of getting their bike stolen while at work. So, encourage your employees to use healthier modes of commuting by providing them with a safe and secure area where they can leave their bicycles, and perhaps even offering some rewards for more ethical commuting. As for those who live too far away to walk or cycle, encourage them to carpool, or see if you can arrange a discount on public transport tickets for them.
Today, being ethical and eco-friendly is very important. However, you don’t have to re-design your entire office to promote your values; even the smaller things you do everyday matter. So, consider the listed tips, think about what else you can do to make your office more ethical, and your business is guaranteed to draw many eco-friendly and ethical clients.
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