As organisations try to find ways to reduce carbon emissions and adopt more sustainable practices, template employment contracts are probably not the first place you would think to look. But there are ideas and potential benefits for those prepared to consider integrating climate issues into the employment relationship.

We’ve written previously about how the climate emergency may shape future employment law and practice. Reducing carbon emissions look set to be a priority for employers in the years ahead. This article considers what changes you could make to template employment contracts to help meet your sustainability commitments.

Why print when you can go digital?

The obvious starting point is to challenge the traditional assumption that employment documents should be printed. There is no compelling need or reason to print. The job offer and terms must formally be accepted but in most cases an electronic signature provides a perfectly good alternative to a wet ink signature. There are also other benefits to moving to electronic records. Employers and employees often struggle to find copies of employment contracts which were printed and filed many years ago. Electronic records may be easier and quicker to find.

Should sustainability be a leadership duty?

In senior executive service agreements employers frequently include long lists of general governance duties (for example “use your best endeavours to promote and protect the business... maintain the highest standards of...

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