Considering the evolving landscape of work and employee expectations, how can organizations design and adapt their employee benefits packages to attract and retain top talent while also ensuring long-term financial sustainability for the company?
Your responsibility in this task involves crafting a minimum of three distinct posts spread across three different days. These posts should showcase a significant level of insight and contemplation. Your initial post should serve as your response to my inquiry, while the subsequent two posts will comprise responses to both your peers and myself. It is of utmost importance that your responses to other posts maintain a high standard of well-crafted and intellectually stimulating discourse.
Please ensure that your initial post is submitted by Thursday at 11:59 PM. Furthermore, keep in mind that the week’s activities conclude on Monday at 11:59 PM, which also serves as the deadline for your peer review postings.
Each of your posts should be at least one paragraph in length, equivalent to approximately 150 words. Quantity is important, but it should be accompanied by a focus on quality. It’s essential to note that Wikipedia cannot be used as a source for this class. Additionally, avoid copying and pasting from your sources; instead, read and then convey the information in your own words. This means you should paraphrase and cite your sources following the APA style, except when responding to peer postings.
Remember, your responsibility entails posting three times: your initial post and responses to two of your peers’ postings
· Part 3: Customer Profitability Analysis (20 marks)
· Part 4: Probabilities(20 marks)
· Part 5: Nonprofits(10 marks)
Part 1: Case: Sustainability (30 marks)
Amazon is the largest internet-based retailer in North America. Amazon started as a book seller but quickly expanded into other household items such as electronics, entertainment, furniture, home décor, beauty, and other retail items. Amazon sells goods directly to consumers and, in Canada, ships itsproducts from warehouses across the country. In addition to direct sales, however, Amazon also offers its platform as a place where third-party retailers can list and sell their products. Shipping for these third-party sales may be handled by the external retailer, not Amazon. This means that items in a consumer’s shopping cart may be shipped by multiple shippers. It is not uncommon for an order of five items ordered throughAmazon at one time, for example, to arrive as five separate packages from five different locations.
Amazon Prime is a subscription service offered through Amazon that covers all shipping fees. Customers pay an annual fee that includes shipping and other customer perks like media streaming.
Required:
1. What are the “business cases” for implementing sustainability practices at Amazon? Your Lesson 6 reading (Whelan, T., & Fink, C. The comprehensive business case for sustainability) discusses the business cases for implementing sustainability practices. Describe at least five reasons why sustainability would be advantageous to Amazon’s business. Discuss why each reason would be beneficial for Amazon specifically. (10 marks)
2. Discuss five challenges that Amazon might encounter with implementing sustainability practices. (10 marks)
3. Looking at Amazon’s sustainability report for the most current year, answer the following:
a. Discuss three areas of sustainability that Amazon does well. (6 marks)
b. Discusstwo areas that Amazon could improve on in terms of itstriple bottom line. (4 marks)
*Do not forget to provide references and citations (using APA) if you cite external information.
Part 2: Performance Evaluation (20 marks)
Hightech Industries specializes in manufacturing medical equipment, a field that has become increasingly competitive. Last year, Pedro Rodriguez, president of Hightech, decided to revise the bonus plan (based entirely on operating income at the time) to encourage division managers to focus on areas that were important to customers and that added value without increasing cost. In addition to introducing a profitability incentive, the revised plan includes incentives for reduced rework costs, reduced sales returns, and on-time deliveries. The company’s new plan calculates and awards bonuses semi-annually on the following basis: a base bonus is calculated at 2% of operating income; this amount is then adjusted by the following factors related to rework, deliveries, and sales returns:
Rework
· The bonus is reduced by excess of rework costs above 2% of operating income
· No adjustment is made if rework costs are less than or equal to 2% of operating income.
Deliveries
· The bonus is increased by $4,000 if more than 98% of deliveries are on time and by $1,500 if 96–98% of deliveries are on time.
· No adjustment is made if on-time deliveries are below 96%.
Sales Returns
· The bonus is increased by $2,500 if sales returns are less than or equal to 1.5% of sales.
· The bonus is decreased by 50% if sales returns are over 1.5% of sales.
Note: If the calculation of the bonus results in a negative amount for a period, the manager simply receives no bonus, and the negative amount doesnot carry forward to the next period.
Results for Hightech’sWestand East divisions for 2021, the first year under the new bonus plan, follow. In 2020, under the old bonus plan, the WestDivision manager earned a bonus of $20,295 and the East division manager a bonus of $15,830 based on 2% of revenues. The old bonus plan did not adjust for rework, on-time deliveries, or sales returns.
West Division
East Division
Jan-Jun 2021
Jul-Dec 2021
Jan-Jun 2021
Jul-Dec 2021
Revenues
$3,150,000
$3,300,000
$2,137,500
$2,175,000
Operating income
$346,500
$330,000
$256,500
$304,500
On-time delivery
95.4%
97.3%
98.2%
94.6%
Rework costs
$8,625
$8,250
$4,500
$6,000
Sales returns
$63,000
$52,500
$33,560
$31,875
Required
1. Why is revenue alone not an ideal measure of performance? What specifically about the revised performance measures compels the managers of the East and West divisions to pursue the company’s goals? (6 marks)
2. Calculate the semi-annual bonuses earned by each manager for eachsix-month period and in total for the 2021 year. (10 marks)
3. The managers were not advised of the new plan until after their first bonus in June 2021. What effect did the change in the bonus plan have on each manager’s actual behaviour in the second half of 2021? What changes, if any, would you make to the new bonus plan? (4 marks)
Mark’s Comedy Emporium provides entertainment for birthday parties. Over the last year Mark’s has entertained at over 150 birthday parties and it seems the Mark’s business is booming! Customers generally must book six to eight months in advance to secure a spot, and the company has parties booked solid for the next six months. Business is busy, customers are extremely happy, and employees are happy, but Mark is barely breaking even. He cannot understand, with his business being so successful, why he is barely able to pay himself a wage. Mark has asked you to help him figure out what he is doing wrong.
The services provided at each party vary. Some customers only want a clown to perform, and they handle the other party details themselves. Other customers want a full package—clown, food, cake, entertainment, cleanup, party favours, decorations, and costumes for the kids. Mark’s can provide the following services at a party:
· Clown: Most parties include a clown who performs for one hour at the party. Mark pays a clown $40 per party.
· Food (excluding cake): When customers order food for their party through Mark’s, he outsources this service to Carl’s Catering. Carl charges an average of $12 per child for food.
· Cake: Mark sources birthday cakes through his sister, Sarah, who runs a small bakery and makes custom cakes for Mark’s. Her smallest cake is 8” in diameter (serves up to 10 kids) and costs $40. She also makes a 10” cake for $60 (serves up to 20 kids).
· Cleanup: Mark’s provides cleanup service. Cleaning staff are paid $15 per hour, and cleanup averages two hours per 20 kids. Cleanup is a variable cost based on number of kids attending the party.
· Party favours: Party favour bags can also be ordered through Mark’s. These cost $5 per bag to assemble.
· Decorations: Mark’s will also fully decorate a party. Decorating staff are paid $15 per hour, and it takesone hour to decorate a party for 20 kids. Decorations cost an average of $50 for party of 20 kids. Decorating staff and decorations are fully variable based on the number of kids.
· Costumes. Mark’s also provides costumes for parties so that kids can dress up based ona theme. On average, costumes cost $40 each and can be worn 25 times before they need to be replaced. Costumes are cleaned after eachuse at a cost of $5 each.
Mark has set up a fee schedule for each service as follows:
Service
Fee charged to customer
Clown
$60 per party
Food
$15 per child
Cake
$2 per child
Cleanup
$2 per child
Party favours
$6 per child
Decorations
$2 per child
Costumes
$6 per child
In atwo-week period, Mark catered six parties with the following services:
Customer
1
2
3
4
5
6
# of kids attended
20
25
45
15
5
12
Clown
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
Y
Food services
Y
Y
N
N
Y
N
Cake
Y
N
N
Y
Y
N
Cleanup
Y
Y
N
N
Y
N
Party favours
Y
Y
N
N
Y
N
Decorations
Y
Y
Y
N
Y
N
Costumes
N
N
Y
N
Y
N
Required
1. Calculate the customer-level operating income for each customer by preparing a customer profitability analysis. Rank the customers according to profitability. (10 marks)
2. Mark would like to earn a return of 50% on costs. What price should he have charged per child for each customer to earn a 50% return on costs? How does this compare the original fee he charged per child? What are the main reasons for this variance? Create a new fee schedule for Mark’s based on your analysis. (10 marks)
Rayna May, the principal, has compiled the following estimates for the new playground:
Cost for dismantling existing equipment
$22,000
Salvage value from selling the metal from existing equipment
$7,000
Soil testing
$18,000
New playground equipment
$45,000
Cost of installation
$16,000
Cost of resurfacing play area in rubber
$55,000
Cost of landscaping (including $5,000 for gravel)
$22,000
Cost of removing and replacing soil
$73,000
The costs for installation, resurfacing, landscaping, and soil removal are the costs quoted by professional contractors. Ms. May was approached by the president of the student council, JayWong, who has volunteered the council’s time for installing and landscaping the new playground. This will save the school approximately $25,000 in costs and Mayhas decided to accept this offer, as two of the council members who will be helping are journeymen carpenters.
The school has two options for dealing with the potentially contaminated soil. The first option is to forgo the soil testing and simply resurface the play area with a poured-rubber matting that can cover the entire play surface. This will cost approximately $55,000—a significant portionof the playground budget. The other option is to perform the soil testing and address the outcome if needed. A municipal worker has estimated that there is a 40% chance that the soil is contaminated. If the soil proves to be contaminated, the school will either need to resurface the area with rubber matting for $55,000, or it can have the contaminated soil removed and replaced for $73,000 plus the cost of gravel. Rayna is wondering what they should do and has asked for your help.
Required
Prepare an analysis of the potential project costs for the following scenarios. Note: There is noneedfor gravelif the play area isresurfaced. However, if the soil is not contaminated or if they need to remove and replace the soil, the gravel will be needed.
1. Resurface the ground without testing the soil. (5 marks)
2. Complete the soil testing. In this case there are two options:
a. Complete the soil testing and remove/replace the soil if contaminated.
b. Complete the soil testing and resurface if contaminated.
Use the probabilities provided by the municipal worker to determine a weighted cost for each of these outcomes. (10 marks)
3. What option would you recommend for the school? Why? What other non-financial considerations mightyou need to include in your decision? (5 marks)
Part 5: Nonprofits (10 marks)
The Peachland Research Centre is an agricultural research facility that is funded through provincial and federal grants. Most of the centre’s work is focused on developing new innovations that help produce higher yields in crops and better quality of food products. Recently the centre has becomeinterested in biofuels. It plans to implement a new project that has the objective of growing switch grass, a crop that has potential to replace fossils and decrease dependence on them.
In January 2020, the government has committed a one-time grant of $800,000 to the centre that will be restricted to purchasing land that will be used to produce biofuels. With this grant, the centre is planning to purchase a 200-acre plot of land for growing switch grass. They have estimated that they will require three workers to clear, plant, maintain, and harvest the crop. They anticipate that they will need these additional staff for eight months of the year. The staffing costs will be approximately $15 per hour for approximately eight hours per day, 20 days per month. Other costs will include seeds, water, and utilities at $3 per tonne, while accumulated depreciation on the equipment will total $10,000.
Once the crop has been harvested, they will send the grass to a facility that will manufacture fuel pellets. This will cost the centre approximately $10 per tonne of grass. Each acre that is planted is expected to return two tonnes of switch grass. Once the fuel pellets are produced, the organization is planning to sell the pellets to local homeowners who have converted their standard gas furnaces to pellet furnaces. It is estimated that approximately two acres of switch grass will be required to heat an average-sized home for the winter. The cost to the homeowners will be $100 per tonne of grass.
Marty McGuire, the director of the Peachland Research Centre, has asked you to provide an overall budget for this venture. He is hoping that your report will support his belief that this project is viable and will be self-sustaining. He tells you that it is very important for the project to support itself through the sale of pellets.
Required
1. Prepare a budget for the project. Does this appear to be a viable venture for the Peachland Research Centre? What changes, if any, need to be made to improve the project’s viability? (7 marks)
2. Every project comes with a degree of risk. What are the specific risks associated with this venture, and how can the centre mitigate these risks? (3 marks)
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Assessment Task 1 – Project work Develop workplace policy and procedures for sustainability SUBMISSION DETAILS STUDENT NAME STUDENT ID BATCH NO. DATE OF SUBMISSION PLACE OF ASSESSMENT Assessment description This assessment requires the learner to complete each activity with applicable solutions related to workplace policy and procedures for sustainability at a workplace. Assessment Instructions 1. This is you are required to compete activities at the end of each training session. 2. Read through the activity very carefully after training is complete for a criterion. 3. When instructed to do so, provide solutions to the activity. 4. You can use workbook and any other sources of information during this formative assessment. 5. Address the activities and their terminologies in your solutions. 6. You are allowed an applicable time limits during training to complete the activity after completion of each criterion of the workbook. 7. The written solutions should be completed using clear English. 8. The assessment task is due on the time and date specified by your trainer/assessor. 9. Any variations to this arrangement must be approved in writing by your trainer/assessor. 10. See specifications below for details. Based on your handwriting, if you find the space is not enough, please write on a separate sheet and attach at the back of this paper and refer to the activity number. Specifications to submit (details of items for submission) You must provide written solutions to all the activities using a pen or word-processed document as instructed by your assessor. Performance objective To test your ability to perform ongoing basis after completion of each criterion of the workbook including foundation skills required to develop workplace policy and procedures for sustainability for a workplace. Assessment context Simulated work environment/or real workplace situation. This assessment will be conducted within the training facility in the specific training room allocated for the trainee/s during the training sessions planned for assessment using simulated workplace scenario with the access to legislative and regulatory documents, office equipment and materials facilitated by your assessor. Assessment will be conducted in a safe environment where evidence gathered demonstrates consistent performance of typical activities experienced in the general administration field of work and include access to office equipment and resources. Required resources 1. Assessment task, assessment instructions and case study. 2. Computer with Internet access and word-process software (MS Word/MS Excel/or relevant Mac software etc.). 3. Simulated workplace policies and procedures. 4. Workspace, table, chair and stationery and access to a. relevant legislation b. workplace documentation and resources c. case studies and, where possible, real situations Your assessor will be looking for: Evidence of the ability to: • scope and develop organisational policies and procedures that comply with legislative requirements and support the organisation’s sustainability goals covering at a minimum: o minimising resource use o resource efficiency o reducing toxic material and hazardous chemical use o employing life cycle management approaches o continuous improvement • plan and implement sustainability policy and procedures including: o agreed outcomes o performance indicators o activities to be undertaken o assigned responsibilities o record keeping, review and improvement processes • consult and communicate with relevant stakeholders to generate engagement with sustainability policy development, implementation and continuous improvement • review and improve sustainability policies. Project work You are required to undertake this project work related to your own workplace or simulated workplace as specified by your assessor. If you choose to use your own workplace, you need to have access to workplace policies and procedures, key provisions of relevant legislation and office equipment and resources. If you choose to use the simulated workplace provided to you by the institution, you will have the access to office equipment and resources. Scenario Your manager (either your own workplace or simulated workplace) has asked you to prepare a document which addresses the following activities. Provide written solutions to the following 11 activities using written word-process document. Activity 1 1. Explain sustainability – in the context of interaction between business organizations and the environment. 100 words. 2. These days it is expected that business organizations will develop and implement sustainability policies. What things might be covered in the scope of a sustainability policy? 130 – 150 words. 3. A number of green or sustainability practices might be considered when developing policies. Suggest six practices that could be of value. Activity 2 It will be necessary to gather sustainability information from a number of sources. List 12 useful sources. Activity 3 Who are the stakeholders for an organization’s sustainability policies and practices and why should they be identified and consulted? 250 – 300 words. Activity 4 1. In a short sentence explain what a strategy is. 2. Develop and list six strategies that might be implemented to support sustainability. 3. What strategies might you recommended for the industry sector in which you work, or intend to work? (These recommendations should be different from those listed in the answer to the previous question.) Explain why you would make these recommendations. Consider time frames, likely effectiveness and costs. 200 – 250 words. 4. What is a life cycle management approach? Activity 5 1. These are three different aspects of sustainability. These need to be considered when developing policies and business plans. Explain what these aspects are and what they mean in terms of policy planning and business planning. 250 – 300 words. 2. In approximately 250 words explain how organizations can benefit if sustainability is an integral part of business planning, with agreement on appropriate methods of implementation, outcomes and performance indicators. Can sustainable business operation contribute to an organization’s competitive edge? Activity 6 1. Explain how a business can promote its workplace sustainability policy, including the expected outcomes, to key external stakeholders. 100 words. 2. How can employees (internal stakeholders) be informed about their roles and responsibilities with regard to implementation, activities to be undertaken, and the expected outcomes? What information will they require? 200 words. Activity 7 What are organizational procedures and how can they be communicated to employees? 200-250 words. Activity 8 Explain continuous improvement and apply it to resource efficiency. 180-200 words. Activity 9 Why is it important to establish and assign responsibility for recording systems that will track continuous improvements of sustainability approaches? 200-220 words. Activity 10 1. Why is it necessary to document and record the outcomes of sustainability policy implementation? 100 – 120 words. 2. Explain to whom it might be necessary to five feedback, what feedback might be required and in what form might feedback be given. 150 – 200 words. Activity 11 1. Recorded data and information might indicate trends that remedial action. What is a trend and what types of trend might be indicated be performance data that is collected within the organization? 100-120 words. 2. How can trend analysis be used to identify opportunities for remedial action and continuous improvement? ——End of Assessment Task 1——– Assessment Task 2- Case study Develop, communicate and implement workplace sustainability policy SUBMISSION DETAILS STUDENT NAME STUDENT ID BATCH NO. DATE OF SUBMISSION PLACE OF ASSESSMENT Assessment description Using the simulated workplace documents and the case study scenario on the Appendix 1, you are required to analyse information from a range of sources to plan and develop sustainability policy for the simulated workplace. Assessment instructions 1. Review the simulated workplace (Australian Hardware) to develop workplace policy and procedure for sustainability. 2. Read the workplace scenario on the Appendix 1 to determine the current workplace policy and procedure for sustainability. 3. Review the “Australian Hardware Sustainability Policy” on the appendix 2. 4. Analyses information from a range of sources including workplace documentation including plans, policies, legislation and regulations to plan and develop sustainability policy. 5. This task requires you to meet with your manager (assessor) and other stakeholders. Form the individuals with specific roles to role-play as agreed by your assessor. 6. Complete the following assessment task activities during the allowed assessment date/s and time/s. 7. The assessment task is due on the date specified by your assessor. 8. Any variations to this arrangement must be approved in writing by your assessor. 9. Submit your work with any required evidence attached. 10. See the specifications below for details of submission requirements. Time allowed for the assessment task is 3 hours. Specifications to submit You must complete and submit: 1. Solutions to nine (9) activities 2. Meet stakeholders in a role-play as the activity 10 requires and play-the role. 3. stakeholder consultation plan. Performance objective To test your ability to demonstrate the skills and knowledge required to plan and develop sustainability policy for a workplace. Assessment context Simulated work environment/or real workplace situation. This assessment will be conducted within the training facility in the specific training room allocated for the trainee/s during the training sessions planned for assessment using simulated workplace scenario with the access to legislative and regulatory documents, office equipment and materials facilitated by your assessor. Assessment will be conducted in a safe environment where evidence gathered demonstrates consistent performance of typical activities experienced in the general administration field of work and include access to office equipment and resources. Review the documents of simulated workplace ‘Australian Hardware’ and the scenario on the Appendix 1 and provide solutions to plan and develop sustainability policy. Your assessor will be looking for: your ability to analyse information from a range of sources to develop workplace policy and procedure for sustainability including: • scope and develop organisational policies and procedures that comply with legislative requirements and support the organisation’s sustainability goals covering at a minimum: o minimising resource use o resource efficiency o reducing toxic material and hazardous chemical use o employing life cycle management approaches o continuous improvement • plan and implement sustainability policy and procedures including: o agreed outcomes o performance indicators o activities to be undertaken o assigned responsibilities o record keeping, review and improvement processes • consult and communicate with relevant stakeholders to generate engagement with sustainability policy development, implementation and continuous improvement • review and improve sustainability policies. Your task Complete the following project activities 1. Read the following scenario and review simulated workplace information in Appendix 1 including the sustainability policy in Appendix 2 and legislative requirements therein and define the scope of sustainability policy for Australian Hardware. 2. Determine and write down what information and the sources of information you need to plan and develop sustainability policy. 3. Identify the relevant stakeholders that you need to consult as a key part of the policy development process and develop a stakeholder consultation plan (Use appendix 3 format). 4. Identify the areas of workplace operation and resource use for sustainable approach. Identify at least five areas to focus sustainability on. 5. Make your recommendations for policy options based on likely effectiveness, timeframes and cost of implementation. 6. Develop policy that reflects the organisation’s commitment to sustainability as an integral part of business planning and as a business opportunity. 7. Develop appropriate methods of implementation including, outcomes expected and performance indicators for implementation of sustainability policy and procedure. 8. Develop strategies to implement for continuous improvement in resource efficiency of the store. 9. Establish a good recording system to track continuous improvements in sustainability approaches and assign responsibility to managers. 10. Role-play activity After you have developed and implemented above activities and using the solutions you have developed, you are required to meet with key stakeholders (other managers of the store). organise at least two of fellow trainees as assessor agrees) and the CEO (Your Assessor) to perform the following role-play activities: a. Review the sustainability goals of your organisation and the policy scope and its implementation including documented outcomes. b. Provide feedback to key personnel and stakeholders about sustainability policy implementation. c. Promote your sustainability policy to stakeholders discussing the expected outcomes. d. Communicate procedures to help implement the workplace sustainability policy. e. Discuss and find out the achievement of the policy outcome based on the successes and failures of implementation. Case study Scenario Your role You are the Store Manager who is accountable for the performance of the whole Wollongong store. You have got five managers reporting to you. You have been assigned to design and develop sustainability practice of the store and promote it across the other stores. The CEO of Australian Hardware needs environmental sustainability policy to aim to integrate a philosophy of sustainable development into all the activities of the organization and to establish and promote sound environmental practice in all our operations. He asked you to develop workplace policy and procedure for sustainability taking the following actions: 1. Develop and communicate workplace sustainability policy 2. Implement workplace sustainability policy 3. Review workplace sustainability policy implementation The CEO said that it is our policy to: • Recycle as much waste material as possible • Avoid the use of paper wherever possible. For example, sending invoices and quotes via email as PDF files. • Recycling equipment that is no longer of use to the company. For example, giving away items such as computers and printers that we no longer use. • Keep energy usage low. For example, making use of low energy light bulbs throughout and ensuring that computers are shut down after work. • Reuse waste paper (from the printer) where possible, making use of the blank side for notes etc. • Purchase products made with recycled paper. For example, paper towels, printer paper • Purchase products with a lower environmental impact. For example, environmentally safe soaps and detergents. • Use low impact transport for travel to and from work and travel for business. For example, we use public transport to attend meetings and offer a Cycle Scheme to encourage staff to cycle to work or to carpool. • Avoid unnecessary travel by making use of instant messaging, video and audio conferencing, telephone and email. So, get together with your employees today and write up your own Sustainability Policy. Make it viewable in your work area and find new ways to decrease your store’s carbon footprint. It’s good for the environment and good for business. —End of Scenario— Appendix 1- Simulated Workplace Australian Hardware Australian Hardware was founded by Percy Greenwright in 1921 and was known as Percy’s Home Goods until 1952. In 1982, Australian Hardware became a public company and was floated on the Australian Stock Exchange. The Greenwright family has retained a controlling interest in the company since its founding. At present, Percy Greenwright’s great grandson, Holden Greenwright, is chair of the board of directors and CEO. Australian Hardware owns and operates 138 stores throughout Australia, with plans to continue expanding at the rate of 2–3 stores per year. Products and service offerings Australian Hardware supplies products in the following categories to general and trade customers: ? timber, hardware, tools, paint, housewares, outdoor and garden. Business locations Australian Hardware stores are located around Australia in the major cities and in the larger regional centers. In areas experiencing growth in population and significant growth in residential building, the demand for products sold by Australian Hardware is considered likely to grow. Appendix 2 Australian Hardware Sustainability Policy Purpose The purpose of this policy is to explain Australian Hardware’s approach to sustainability. Australian Hardware takes its commitment to the sustainable and socially responsible use of resources seriously. Scope The scope of this policy covers all employees and contractors of Australian Hardware in ensuring that sustainable practices are adopted and maintained at the Wollongong Store. Responsibility Responsibility for the implementation of this policy rests with employees and management of Australian Hardware. The partners and business owners are responsible for: • following and improving the implementation of the sustainability plan and sustainability principles • the effective implementation and regular review of sustainability procedures, including yearly environmental audit • consultation with employees regarding sustainability issues and changes to legislation and/or working practices which may affect the workplace • providing and maintaining a sustainable system of working practices • providing support, training, and supervision to employees to ensure sustainable practices are carried out, including relevant training where appropriate • the provision of adequate resources for employees to meet the sustainability commitment. Individual employees are responsible for: • following all sustainability policies and procedures • ensuring that they report all potential and actual risks to partners or managers/supervisors; risk management must consider triple bottom line related risk • following the sustainability principles and alerting management to breaches of the principles or opportunities to improve performance • encouraging others to follow sustainable working practices in the workplace • Where relevant, purchasing from suppliers in accordance with sustainability principles • Where relevant, auditing suppliers with respect to sustainability. Relevant legislation and standards • Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act) • National Environment Protection Council Act 1995 (NSW) • AS/NZS ISO 14001:2004 Environmental management systems – Requirements with guidance for use. Updated/ authorised 09/2016 – Lynn Lee (Finance Manager Wollongong) Sustainability principles Australian Hardware adheres to the following six sustainability principles: 1. Acting now to reduce environmental risk Consider the risk to the environment as part of risk management at Australian Hardware. Act immediately to reduce environmental risk as you would with any other risk such as health and safety or financial risk. 2. Inter-generational fairness Consider whether the actions of Australian Hardware deplete or use up resources that could be used by later generations. Is your business or workplace activity fair to people who will live tomorrow as well as those who live today? Ensure the next generation is fairly treated by Australian Hardware! 3. Sustainable use of natural resources Consider whether Australian Hardware uses natural resources at the rate they are naturally replenished. If not, how will Australian Hardware compensate for unsustainable use? Compare like businesses to Australian Hardware. Does Australian Hardware use resources more sustainably than all other comparable businesses! 4. Maintenance of biological diversity Consider how Australian Hardware contributes to or diminishes the variety of life on the planet. Biological diversity is important for maintaining ecosystems that contribute to the overall health of the planet. What ecosystems are disturbed by the location of the hardware store and associated car park? How can this be prevented/offset? What ecosystems are disturbed by production and distribution of purchased products? How can this be prevented/offset? 5. Enhanced economic and social well-being Consider how Australian Hardware attributes value or cost to business activity. Is wastage considered (and calculated) as a cost to the environment (which has to be paid by someone), or only as a cost in relation to the narrower financial interests of the business (only the cost of disposal)? Consider how Australian Hardware’s use of resources contributes to social wellbeing. Are people in your community better-off or happier as a result of Australian Hardware business activities? Ensure the community is better off because of Australian Hardware! 6. Strengthened community Consider how Australian Hardware’s use of resources contributes to community. Are people in your community more connected with their community as a result of Australian Hardware’s business activities? Ensure the community is stronger and more cohesive because of Australian Hardware! 7. Waste management The waste hierarchy is an effective approach to waste management which should be applied by all employees of Australian Hardware with direct or indirect responsibility for waste management. The diagram below demonstrates the stages. 8. Yearly environmental audit An environmental audit should be performed yearly by each line manager at Wollongong Australian Hardware. General operations and administration staff should use the Sustainable Office Checklist provided by the NSW Department of Environment Climate Change and Water: Appendix 3 – Tables Stakeholder Consultation Format Stakeholder Internal/ external Role in process Sustainability issues/concerns
Assessment Task 3 Written Task SUBMISSION DETAILS STUDENT NAME STUDENT ID BATCH NO. DATE OF SUBMISSION PLACE OF ASSESSMENT Assessment description This assessment requires the candidate to complete a written task of 4 questions with answers related to workplace policy and procedures for sustainability. Assessment Instructions 1. Read through the questions very carefully. 2. When instructed to do so, answer the attached test paper. 3. You are not allowed to refer to any sources of information during this test. 4. Address the questions and their terminologies in your answer solutions. 5. This test is to be completed without access to any other electronic gadgets, documents or learning materials. 6. You are allowed a maximum of 120 minutes to complete the test. 7. The test answers should be completed using clear English. 8. The assessment task is due on the time and date specified by your assessor. 9. Any variations to this arrangement must be approved in writing by your assessor. 10. See specifications below for details. Specifications to submit (details of items for submission) You must provide written answers to all the questions using a pen or word-processed document as instructed by your assessor. Performance objective To test your knowledge required to develop workplace policy and procedures for sustainability in a workplace. Required resources 1. Assessment task, assessment instructions and case study. 2. Computer with Internet access and word-process software (MS Word/MS Excel/or relevant Mac software etc.). 3. Simulated workplace policies and procedures. 4. Workspace, table, chair and stationery. Your assessor will be looking for: Your demonstrated knowledge required to complete the tasks outlined below: To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, the individual must: 1. outline the environmental or sustainability legislation, regulations and codes of practice applicable to the organisation identify internal and external sources of information and explain how they can be used to plan and develop the organisation’s sustainability policy 2. explain policy development processes and practices 3. outline organisational systems and procedures that relate to sustainability 4. outline typical barriers to implementing policies and procedures in an organisation and possible strategies to address them. QUESTIONS Write answer solutions to the following 4 questions using the space provided Question 1 Managers should be able to outline the environmental or sustainability legislation, regulations and codes of practice applicable to the organization for which they work. This will be dependent on the type of organization and the industry sector. From what internal and external sources might information be gathered and why is it necessary for managers to be informed about sustainability legislation, regulations and codes of practice? 300 words. Question 2 Explain what a sustainability policy is and how policies, processes and practices are developed. What might be covered by or included in an organization’s environmental policies and procedures. 300 words Question 3 You will need to understand the organization systems and practices that relate to a support sustainability in the organization for which you work. What does this mean and why is it necessary? 200 words. Question 4 What barriers might affect the implementation of sustainability policies and procedures in an organization? List at least 12. What strategies might be used to address them? List at least 10
