11. The S in ESG

The E in ESG gets almost all the attention. The S, social sustainability, is the least examined, understood and actioned aspect of the three. And yet it touches everything: how staff are treated, what's in the supply chain, how a business relates to its community and whether modern slavery is something happening in your operation without your knowledge.This episode makes the case that genuine social sustainability isn't about charity giving, volunteer days or wellness apps it's about how a business operates end to end, from the people it employs to the products it buys to the community it belongs to. Drawing on data from Australian hospitality's 38.7% staff turnover rate, the 41,000 people in modern slavery conditions in Australia right now, and examples from Southeast Asia and here at home, this episode goes to the places most sustainability conversations don't. Because the S in ESG isn't a soft topic. It's where the commercial, the human and the ethical all meet.References from this episode:Redundant Charities book: https://www.redundantcharities.com/Ocean film: https://silverbackfilms.tv/shows/oceanwithdavidattenborough/64% of hospitality staff in Australia are on casual contracts Source: Sidekicker https://sidekicker.com/blog/what-are-the-minimum-hours-for-casual-workers-in-hospitality52% casual/part-time across all Australian industries (comparison figure) Source: Australian hospitality industry statistics overview https://resdiary.com/blog/2024-hospitality-industry-statistics-in-australia38.7% staff turnover rate in Australian hospitality in 2024 — highest of any sector Source: Allara Global, citing Hospitality and Catering News, March 2025 https://allaraglobal.com/blog/entry/retention-over-turnover-hospitality-leaders-playbook$30,000 average cost per departure Source: ScaleSuite, citing Australian HR Institute 2023 https://www.scalesuite.com.au/resources/staff-turnover-rate-and-workforce-churn-australiaNational average turnover 8–9.5% — hospitality more than four times that Source: ScaleSuite https://www.scalesuite.com.au/resources/staff-turnover-rate-and-workforce-churn-australiaThe "retention gap" — industry isn't short of people, it's short of workplaces worth staying in Source: Jobs and Skills Australia Better Together Report 2024, via Hospitality Magazine https://www.hospitalitymagazine.com.au/retention-gap-drives-hospitality-staff-shortages/Direct JSA source: https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/data/occupation-shortageOrganisations that promote internally retain employees 41% longer Source: Foremind, citing Australian turnover research https://www.foremind.com.au/post/employee-turnover-statisticsEngaged employees 15% less likely to leave / poor culture linked to 30% higher turnover Source: ScaleSuite, citing AHRI 2023 https://www.scalesuite.com.au/resources/staff-turnover-rate-and-workforce-churn-australia61% of Australian employees planning to change jobs in 2025 Source: Perkbox Beyond the Paycheck report https://www.perkbox.com/au/resources/blog/beyond-the-paycheck-retention-202542% of turnover is considered preventable Source: Foremind, citing Gallup research https://www.foremind.com.au/post/employee-turnover-statisticsGallup primary source: https://www.gallup.com/workplace/646538/employee-turnover-preventable-often-ignored.aspxEvery $1 invested in mental health returns up to $4 Source: Black Dog Institute https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/resources-support/wellbeing/workplace-wellbeing/66% of Australian workers reported feeling burnt out in 2024 — up 13% from 2022 Source: Allara Global, citing Wellness Designs Report 2024 https://allaraglobal.com/blog/entry/retention-over-turnover-hospitality-leaders-playbookSweden four day work week pilot — December 2023, 11 organisations, results Source: ZNetwork https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/swedens-four-day-workweek-pilot-shows-happier-more-productive-employees/50 million people globally in modern slavery / 41,000 in Australia Source: Walk Free Global Slavery Index 2023, via Mercy Foundation https://www.mercyfoundation.com.au/latest_news/41000-people-in-modern-slavery-in-australia/Walk Free primary source: https://www.walkfree.org/global-slavery-index/country-studies/australia/Human trafficking reports in Australia — rising trend Source: Australian Federal Police media release https://www.afp.gov.au/news-centre/media-release/human-trafficking-reports-continue-increase-australiaMost recent AFP data (2024–25 all time high): https://www.afp.gov.au/news-centre/media-release/reports-human-trafficking-nearly-double-over-past-five-yearsGECA eco-label certification — modern slavery requirements Source: GECA website https://geca.ecoAustralian Modern Slavery Act and register Source: Australian Government Modern Slavery Register https://www.modernslavery.gov.au/about-modern-slavery/modern-slavery-australiaOz Harvest corporate cooking program Source: OzHarvest website https://www.ozharvest.org/what-we-do/corporate/Two Good Co Source: Two Good Co website https://twogood.com.au/Two Homes is for leaders who know that lasting performance, for people and planet, starts from the inside out. Two homes: the one we inhabit within, and the one we all share.Intro and outro music: Brooks, Kai Engel