Body of Competencies Case Studies

Discover, learn and explore how the IHRP Body of Competencies have been used to empower individuals and organisations in driving effective and meaningful transformations.

Neste Case Study

Neste Case Study

Embedding Sustainability through People Strategies and Practices

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The Challenge

How can HR drive and instil sustainability values across the various People and business practices?

Summary

Sustainability lies at the very core of Neste's mission, which is to create a healthier planet for our children. This commitment to sustainability extends to all aspects of the organisation, including the workforce, supported and enabled by the HR function. HR plays a pivotal role in entrenching workforce sustainability within People and business practices, while accounting for broader societal impacts.

This includes shaping recruitment practices to recruit like-minded new joiners who are passionate about sustainability and fostering psychological safety. These efforts contribute to the longevity of Neste’s workforce and drive positive impact across value chains.


The Solution

Building the sustainability capability within the Neste workforce

  • The HR function plays a crucial role in embedding sustainability within the workforce. Throughout the entire HR value chain, the team incorporated opportunities to uplift and enhance sustainability values and mindset amongst employees.
  • During the recruitment process, Neste specifically targets and screens individuals who align with the organization's culture and purpose, ensuring that only talents who possess the necessary sustainability mindset are considered.
  • Additionally, Neste places a strong emphasis on employer branding, consistently and clearly communicating its commitment to sustainability throughout onboarding and training programmes for all segments of the workforce.

Establish a clear code of conduct and incident reporting channels to promote confidence and transparency

  • Neste has a well-defined code of conduct that is effectively communicated to employees and line managers, ensuring clarity and consistency in ethical standards.
  • The HR function, together with the Human Rights Department, is pivotal in ensuring visibility and fair employment, striving to create a psychologically safe environment for the workforce.
  • As part of this effort, HR and Compliance teams have implemented anonymous channels for employees to provide feedback and report instances of abuse. This allows employees to share their concerns directly with HR, without fear of retaliation from their immediate managers.
  • By fostering open communication and addressing issues promptly, HR actively works towards maintaining a supportive and inclusive workplace for all employees. This clearly strengthens Neste’s commitment to Human Right Principles and the overall Social Agenda.

Outcomes

Use of audiovisual survey to conduct 215 anonymous worker voice surveys across the Middle East, US, India and Finland.
Employee feedback and exit interviews confirming that Neste has a strong culture with a clear purpose of driving sustainability
Increased role fit and satisfaction; attrition rate kept at a healthy level below industry average of less than 10%

Putting Values at the Forefront

Click on any of the competencies below to learn more.

HR Mindsets & Behaviours
  • Shape the Employee Experience
  • Lead with Principles and Values
Functional Competencies
  • Holistic Wellbeing
  • Sourcing
  • Onboarding
  • People Engagement
Foundational Competencies
  • Relationships and Communication
  • Sustainability