Sharon Doyle
Head of Human Resources and Corporate Affairs, Bord na Móna
A company that has a genuine desire to care for its people has to take a strategic approach to employee wellbeing and embed inventive policies at the heart of its business.
Organisations owe it to their staff to become great places to work. Sharon Doyle, Bord na Móna’s Head of Human Resources and Corporate Affairs, explains: “As part of Bord na Móna’s evolution to a climate solutions company, employee experience and engagement is at the core of the transition.”
She adds: “We’re focused on creating a great place to work and ensuring that colleagues can bring their whole selves to work and achieve their full potential. We strive to create a culture of inclusion, mutual respect and equal opportunities for colleagues.”
Today, the company employs over 1,400 people and
manages a land holding of over 80,000 hectares.
Shifting focus from fossil fuels to sustainable solutions
There’s another reason why employee wellbeing has become a major focus for Bord na Móna: it’s a company that has undergone significant and well-documented ‘brown to green’ change in recent years.
As it moves towards a greener future, the company knows it must proactively encourage its employees to participate in its culture change journey. To do that effectively, it must strive to be a great place to work — which means taking a strategic approach to employee wellbeing, diversity and professional development.
First of all, it’s determined to show colleagues that it is serious about sustainability and helping Ireland reach net zero emissions by 2050. “Today, the company employs over 1,400 people and manages a land holding of over 80,000 hectares,” says Doyle, who notes that Bord na Móna’s transition to sustainability is good news for its staff and the local communities it has been serving for more than 90 years.
The organisation also wants to prove that it’s committed to helping staff deal with life’s challenges and celebrations. The best work environments are fulfilling places where everyone feels valued and respected as a person, not just as an employee but as an important part of the community, notes Doyle.
