Climate change
Businesses across all sectors are making strategic and operational changes to become more environmentally sustainable; setting net zero targets, reconfiguring products and services, changing production processes and reviewing the carbon footprint of premises…the list goes on.
As part of any green agenda it is vital that organisations thoroughly consider the impact of these changes on their people.
The ideal is for the workforce to be aligned to the organisation’s approach to climate change and to understand to rationale for any associated changes in workplace policy or practice. However there can be cultural and contractual impacts, which in turn can affect loyalty and job satisfaction and ultimately result in grievances or claims. Clashing priorities will inevitably arise and it is key that employers turn their minds to how they will navigate these workforce challenges to ensure they succeed in their quest of achieving a greener future.
How we help
The CMS employment experts work closely with colleagues in other areas to provide solutions on sustainability risk issues. From an employment law perspective, we assist with:
- Drafting employment policies with sustainability at the core;
- Revising employment contracts to include green clauses;
- Advising on implementing changes to terms and conditions in line with the employer’s green agenda;
- Outlining discrimination and whistleblowing risks that can arise where employee views on climate related issues do not align with the employer’s approach;
- Communication plans to facilitate engagement with staff, unions and Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) on sustainability issues;
- Identifying emerging themes and risks such as the green skills gender pay gap; and
- Delivering training on identifying and managing people risks associated with sustainability and putting in place a culture of sustainability.
ESG: The E from a people perspective
Environmental whistleblowing
Gender
Climate activism and protected beliefs
Watch some recent videos
Slide title
Highlights of recent experience
Greening contracts
Greening contracts
Advising a client on a contractual change and consultation process in the context of the client's net zero journey.
Greenwashing allegatins from a whistleblower
Greenwashing allegatins from a whistleblower
Acting for a client in response to an Employment Tribunal whistleblowing claim involving elements of greenwashing allegations.
Employment considerations of an acquisition
Employment considerations of an acquisition
Advising GRIDSERVE, a developer and operator of clean energy solutions for critical power infrastructure, on the employment law aspects of its acqusition of the Electric Highway from Ecotricity following which GRIDSERVE launched 'GRIDSERVE Electric Highway'.
