Navigating the ESG Imperative: Integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance Metrics into HR Strategies for Sustainable Workforce Development

Alignment of organisational operations with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles is the need of the hour. The shift in focus aims to ensure not only the regulatory requirements but also to build a workplace that is identified as sustainable, ethical, and people focused, which is also integrated into human resource management (HRM) as a way to enhance long-term corporate resilience, develop employer branding and contribute to employee engagement. This chapter discusses what the future of work holds for employers using HR strategies in line with ESG philosophy. It aims to study the key literature to identify trends, challenges, and best practices on the ESG front with respect to workforce management. Today, ESG is not just a buzzword, but a need for survival for businesses as they can attract the best talent, promote a culture of inclusivity, and guarantee sustainability while the market demands it.