An Post

AN POST

Sustainable Service

An Post has a purpose: to act for the common good and to improve the quality of life in Ireland, now and for generations to come

An Post is shortlisted across four initiatives in this year’s Sustainable Business Impact Awards. According to Nicola Woods, Chief Transformation Officer, An Post: “Sustainability is truly at the heart of everything we do across our business and corporate strategy. As well as progressing our action plan, our focus has been on enabling our employees to understand their role in ensuring a sustainable future, and what they can do in their own lives to make a difference. CSR initiatives, whether large scale or localised ‘helping hands’, are governed by our purpose ‘to act for the common good and to improve the quality of life in Ireland, now and for generations to come’.”

As the operators of one of Ireland’s largest vehicle fleets and with over 2m square feet of property under management, the transition to a sustainable fleet and renewable energy positive actions at work and at home, to be more sustainable. In 2021, An Post ran an employee survey which indicated that employees wanted to make positive contributions to sustainability in work, at home and in their communities, but that a lack of information was a barrier. Based on that insight, they developed and launched the campaign to motivate and inspire employees to take positive practical actions, focused on monthly themes such as eco-transport, renewable energy, and biodiversity. It is accessible to all employees and the content caters for all learning types.

CHALLENGING YEAR Throughout the pandemic An Post maintained sustainable action, keeping Ireland connected and supporting communities by looking after the vulnerable; supplying essential services; providing support to SMEs; and encouraging children to develop literacy skills. During the pandemic, An Post

delivered 375,623 antigen test kits and provided SME discounts to a total of €2.8m.

“With more than 10,000 full and parttime staff, our retirees and all our staff families, we have deep roots and powerful connections in every Irish community. Working for the greater good works for

OUR FOCUS HAS BEEN ON ENSURING THAT OUR EMPLOYEES UNDERSTAND THEIR ROLE IN OUR ENSURING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE, AND WHAT THEY CAN DO IN THEIR OWN LIVES TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

is core to An Post’s decarbonisation strategy. SEAI verified an energy saving of 33.4 per cent by end 2020, which is a significant step to 2030’s net zero target.

With An Post’s Employee Sustainability Campaign, developed with external partners Change by Degrees, An Post aim to motivate and inspire colleagues to take Nicola Woods, Chief Transformation Officer, An Post

business, for communities and for the nation as a whole,” notes Woods.

For An Post, it is a top priority to ensure employees are healthy and happy, while also ensuring that services remain operational, particularly as they managed an extraordinary increase in parcel volumes during the pandemic.

An Post held webinars and support sessions on financial wellbeing, mental health, resilience and healthy eating for its employees and introduced an Employee Assistance Programme with a confidential digital platform provides access to advice, information and support on health, financial, wellbeing, and social issues.

“We believe in Decent Work and have publicly denounced the excesses of the Gig Economy,” states Woods. “We have found that even while chasing targets with global implications, we can deliver real benefits for An Post’s people on the ground.”