Accor sets its workers toward sustainable change
Accor SA
Corporate Social Responsibility is central to Accor's strategy as a pioneer in the field of positive hospitality and a long-time supporter of sustainable development. The Group is dedicated to fostering sustainable and socially responsible initiatives through the application of employee skills and resources.
Accor, a pioneer in positive hospitality and a long-time supporter of sustainable development, places corporate social responsibility at the center of its overall strategy. As a result, the group pledges to use its employees' talents and capabilities to realize a constructive approach to promoting sustainable and socially conscious initiatives.
As a shared goal, sustainable development, Accor is pursuing a set of clearly defined non-financial goals to successfully complete this transformation, with this area of performance recognized as a key strategic priority.
The Group's introduction of an ambitious training program designed to increase employee awareness of sustainable development challenges, supported by the close linking of bonuses for top management to sustainable development performance, is a prime example of this.
With the launch of "School for Change," Group employees now have access to a content platform as well as a training path focused on the fundamentals of climate change. This aims to improve people's understanding of the causes of climate change and their impact on biodiversity and communities, facilitating the sharing of solutions to create positive change at all levels. The course, which lasts more than three hours, is part of the annual targets and bonuses for all headquarters employees, with 90% of them having completed it by the end of 2022.
Brune Poirson, Chief Sustainability Officer Accor said “Our Group intends to place environmental protection at the heart of its business model. To ensure this transformation is successful, Accor is launching an extensive and groundbreaking training program focused on environmental challenges and aimed at all employees worldwide. This science-based training will enable every employee to gain a sound scientific knowledge base regarding what needs to be done to protect the environment. We are proud to launch this essential step in our transformation towards more sustainable hospitality”.
Employees in the group have demonstrated great unity in expressing a desire to take action and have banded together in support of a common goal. This is supported by the formation of SEED (Saving the Environment Every Day), a group dedicated to environmental preservation that is open to all employees.
SEED is meant to bring together talented people from different backgrounds so they can share best practices, stay up-to-date, and encourage and inspire each other to take action in their work and everyday lives.
Ethical initiatives that promote employee well-being To address current social and environmental challenges, Accor promotes the use of greener modes of transportation, such as MOOV, which makes company bikes available to employees at its headquarters.
Employees can choose a traditional, folding, or electric bike from a selection of 300+ models, with Accor covering the majority of the monthly leasing, insurance, and maintenance costs. This acclaimed and award-winning initiative, developed in collaboration with Zenride, benefits both employees and the environment. When compared to driving, cycling for 30 minutes per day keeps the body active and saves the equivalent of 1.9kg of CO2*.
Concerned about its employees' well-being, Accor provides them with greater flexibility and autonomy by allowing all employees, regardless of their status (with the exception of senior executives), contract, or responsibilities, to work remotely for a maximum of 12 remote working days per month.
With 72% of employees reporting that working remotely makes them feel less tired (saving time normally spent on transportation or in commuter traffic)**, the Group is opting for a more convenient way of working that aligns with the preferences of its employees. Accor has been launching WOJO co-working spaces within Group hotels around the world since 2019 in order to promote remote working for its guests, partners, and employees.
Steven Daines, Chief Talent & Culture Officer Accor said “The wellbeing of our Heartists® is our priority and we want to give them the best possible experience. That is why we offer ever more sustainable alternatives adapting to current trends, Accor’s overall vision, and what our employees want. This initiative is just another example of Accor’s commitment to its employees and to the Group’s human, social and environmental values”.
source: Accor newsroom
