Some Ideas on How to Keep Employees 'Green' Motivated

Not all employees need reminding in order to implement green practices. There are those, however, who need a lot of extra help. For employees like these, you need to be persistent about your property's green message. Talk about the importance of sustainability at your morning meetings. Post signage in back of house areas or at employee work stations. Talk frequently about accomplishments. Set goals and use bulletin boards and employee e-newsletters to remind employees about the progress of a project. Surprise your associates with recognition when they take positive, green steps. Provide uniforms that convey your property's green commitment. Ask employees to sign a commitment letter--a document that formalizes their commitment to green operations.

Quarterly or annually, hold an employee recognition program to honor those who have done the most to transform your property to a green establishment. Require green team participation and rotate promising employees in and out of leadership positions. Post suggestion boxes in employee areas to capture ideas about how to reduce waste or save energy and water.

I spoke with Faith Taylor, vice president of sustainability and innovation at Wyndham Worldwide yesterday and she told me about a program at Wyndham Worldwide called "Caught Green Handed." Wyndham Exchange & Rentals initiated the Caught Green Handed recognition program to acknowledge associates who have made a contribution to sustainability practices. The program has been further adopted by Wyndham Vacation Ownership. As part of Caught Green Handed, an employee can recognize a peer who has taken a positive, green step--recycling an item, for example. Employees caught "green handed" receive a certificate and recognition. The program is designed to combine creativity and fun with the goals of efficiency and corporate responsibility. It is a great idea.

What do you do at your property to motivate your employees about sustainability and keep "green" top of mind? I would love to hear from you. Be sure to leave your comments here.