For decades, organizations have asked the same question: How can we get the most out of our employees? Better engagement, higher productivity, stronger commitment, sharper skills, more output…the list goes on.

But in an era where worker expectations (especially expectations related to well-being) are higher than ever, it might be time for companies to switch their thinking from how to get the most from employees to how to give them the most.

What is human sustainability?

That’s the crux of human sustainability, a term coined by Deloitte in its 2023 Human Capital Trends report. Deloitte defines human sustainability as “the degree to which the organization creates value for people as human beings, leaving them with greater health and well-being, stronger skills and greater employability, good jobs, opportunities for advancement, progress toward equity, increased belonging, and heightened connection to purpose.”

Put even more simply, human sustainability requires organizations to focus less on “how much people benefit their organization and more on how their organization benefits people.”

It’s counterintuitive in a system that has previously focused on squeezing every last drop of effort and value out of employees.

But human sustainability was pushed into the limelight during the COVID-19 pandemic when workers experienced a major perspective shift in the role of work in their lives and specifically looked for employers that aligned with their values — a time now known as the Great Resignation.

“I believe that this phenomenon created the power shift, and it remains,” explains Loren Margolis, Executive Coach and Founder of TLS Leaders, a leadership development firm that partners with organizations to train their leaders and create inclusive company cultures.

“Even though we are now in an employer-driven market, organizations still want to attract and retain the best talent. And, with the newest generation’s strong entrepreneurial mindset, it will continue.”

Why does human sustainability matter?

Human sustainability boils down to treating people well, and it seems obvious that doing so can have far-reaching benefits.  “I’d argue that the strong majority of companies would agree that employees will likely stay where they are treated well and where opportunities for advancement are clear,” says Dr. Heather Rose Walker, Senior Data Journalist at Culture Amp, an employee experience platform.

For employees, human sustainability often translates to greater purpose and belonging, fairer pay, lower burnout, and an overall sense of feeling supported and cared for at work. And while the very point of human sustainability is to focus on adding value for employees, organizations often experience advantages too, including:

• Improved culture and morale: Employees who feel cared for are up to 3.2 times more likely to be happy at work, which boosts team morale and contributes to a more positive company culture.
  
• Increased productivity:Research shows that happy employees get more done.
  
• Lower turnover: From development to an emphasis on well-being, human sustainability incorporates many of the positive aspects that employees actively look for, making them more likely to stick with the organization.

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