Issue Human sustainability as the measure of whether work leaves people better off

Summary

Deloitte defines human sustainability as the degree to which an organization creates value for people as human beings. It goes beyond worker well-being or productivity to ask whether people leave their work with stronger skills and employability, better health and a deeper sense of belonging and purpose. The report argues that boards, traditionally focused on protecting the organization and its financial stakeholders, should recognize that their decisions also shape broader societal outcomes. These include people's health and well-being, the health of labor markets, the state of truth and trust, and general economic health. Boards that ignore these wider effects risk legal, financial and strategic consequences and, more importantly, doing real harm.