May - SDG no. 8 “Decent work and economic growth”

One of the key elements in ensuring higher productivity and technological breakthroughs, is to focus on how politics can support entrepreneurs and job creation. At the same time, it is important to have a meaningful job and include employees in the growth targets of the company. We are sure we will see a transformation of workplace environments where it is clear that the individual is the key. This will be shown through, decent work and leaving no one behind, by providing a reasonable salary, job security and integration.

To understand the SDG no 8 better, and how it is linked to decent work and economic growth, we can break it down into the following sub-headings:

• Employment.
• Economic inclusion.
• Eradicate discrimination.
• Availability of a skilled workforce.
• Elimination of forced or compulsory labour.

Covid-19 has had a significant impact on SDG no 8. It is clear for everyone to see, that unemployment rates have gone up in some sectors, at the same time other sectors have thrived in the new environment, following the covid-19 restrictions. SDG no 8 reminds us to act with an inclusive economic mindset to allow us to reach the sustainability targets set out in SDGs in general.

We must be inclusive in our day to day lives in the workplace. The workplace of today is “international” and very changeable. At Mazars we experience this development up close and try to embrace the cultural differences across nations, being an international firm. Sustainable work starts with being dynamic and inclusive towards employees, but also in some cases with competitors. Experimenting in this way offers a natural reference to the SDG no 17 “Partnerships for the goals”. Together companies and competitors can reach economic sustainable growth faster.

In relation to the political angle, an initiative by the Danish Government to ensure economic growth, and by that meaning sustainable development, is to have all future draft legislation screened for the impact it will have on society, through being measured against the 17 SDGs. Normally, it is procedure to assess the economic, equality and environmental impact of a new draft legislation. However, this is a game changer, as by using the known SDGs it should make it easier to achieve our targets before 2030. At the same time, it encourages use of SDGs, making them known by everyone, including all Danish companies.

We can use the SDG no 8 and covid-19 crisis to re-evaluate the way we live, work and travel. Maybe there are better ways to ensure everyone is satisfied and to still have economic sustainable growth. To continue with a positive view of recent events, we are not going back to the old world, but a better world.

At Mazars we are aware of the importance of having a sustainable approach to everything we do, especially if we want to continue to recruit the best employees. It is a contributing factor, if not the most important focus, for the new generation of employees when selecting their future workplace, they ask themselves; how does the company contribute to a better world? What is the workplace culture, inclusion in the workplace and is it aligned with personal expectations?

Mazars finds SDG no 8 important and wants to be a pioneer within productive work, fair level of income for employees and job security, as well as to have social protection for families and facilitate positive personal development.

Our initiatives globally include, among others:

• Mobility initiative, where employees are exchanged and developed across borders and learn from each other in an international company.
• Training in offering sustainable services in all countries.
• We take “service the public interest” very seriously by contributing to institutions regularly.
• Conduct surveys and having focus groups to understand the needs in this modern work environment.
• Implementing a yearly Sustainability Day to include employees and motivate for change.

At Mazars in Denmark, we have implemented a sustainable way of thinking to approach everything we do. We want to help our clients to do the same, and a place for us to start is by offering sustainable services.

Locally, for Mazars in Denmark we do the following:

• Raise awareness within our organisation regarding the selected SDGs and highlighting their importance for Mazars.
• Ensure an inclusive workplace by involving employees in activities and the economy of the company.
• Provide a sustainability service line, offering assistance with ESG reporting, advisory and implementation of the Danish Financial Statements Act §99a on CSR communication. 

We are very proud to work within an organisation where decent and meaningful work is just as important as economic growth for the future.