A STUDY OF GREEN HR PRACTICES IN SRI LANKAN ORGANIZATIONS

Abstract

It is a growing need for organizations to move towards a better environmental management: in other words, to go “Green”. Green HRM is the Human Resources aspect of the concept of Green and is a novel field on which researchers are yet to explore. This study is an attempt to discover the different Green HR practices used by the Sri Lankan organizations and their significance in the commercial sector. The study adopted qualitative methodology through interviews to gather data on Green HR practices of organizations. Purposive sampling was used as the sampling method and thematic analysis was used for data analysis. Online job advertising, tele-recruitment, recyclable ID cards, electronic pay slip, waste management, energy management, controlled air pollution, reduced carbon emission, CSR activities to protect the environment, on-line work arrangements, attitude changing programmes and awareness programmes are among the findings as existing Green HR practices. The concept of Green HR is yet to develop in order to achieve its whole purpose. In Sri Lanka, this concept has not yet achieved its due recognition as an effective tool in ensuring a better environmental management. But it is good to observe that some Sri Lankan organizations are now recognizing Green HRM and implementing Green HR practices into their organizations through which despite the already existing advantage of being eco-friendly, the companies are further benefitted by the economical and marketable aspects of following these practices.