With society becoming more environmentally conscious, businesses are starting to incorporate green initiatives into their everyday work environment. Human Resource teams are among the groups beginning to incorporate these concepts within their respective HR functions. What exactly are Green HR initiatives and how do they apply to business performed today and in the future?

The question "What is Green HR" was presented to a panel of business professionals with the results pointing towards environmentally friendly initiatives that reduce an employee's carbon footprint. The results included: electronic filing, ride sharing, job sharing, teleconferencing and virtual interviews, recycling, telecommuting, online training, and developing more energy efficient office spaces. Not only are we reading about how to become more "green" but we are seeing these concepts implemented more and more each year.

Green HR efforts to date have primarily focused on increasing efficiency within processes, reducing and eliminating environmental waste, and revamping HR products, tools, and procedures resulting in greater efficiency and lower costs. Actions taken thus far have been well intentioned and are producing results, but little has been done to preserve talent amidst the highest levels of unemployment we've seen since the early 1980s. It's time to take these initiatives a step further and expand our way of thinking green.

People, often referred to as "industry's most valued assets", along with infinite levels of knowledge, experience, and know-how gained at the expense of their employer, appear expendable in today's economy. Can the investment made in human capital be considered waste, if what we see happening is indeed a waste of talent and development dollars? How can and will Green HR impact how companies utilize their human capital?

Green HR is about retaining, recalling, preserving, and growing talent, therefore reducing and/or eliminating workplace inefficiency. Along with creating a more efficient workplace, retaining knowledge capital forces employers to properly evaluate their staff and look for the best options available.  What do these concepts mean for the economy of 2009 and beyond?

With unemployment rates hitting 9.4% in May not only are people struggling to find employment, but companies are finding their top talent absent during the most crucial times of production. Some examples of Green HR implementation include, but not limited to, reduced work schedules, furloughs, and phased retirement programs. In the current economy this means saving your top talent while still meeting cost cutting needs. When the economy begins to recover Green HR initiatives continue to preserve knowledge capital while giving employees more options and a better work-life balance.

By continuing to be environmentally friendly while recognizing the importance of human capital, not only will our environment benefit but our jobs will remain globally and nationally competitive.