Note: Please solve the case in your own words.

Course title: IHRM

Sustainability in Action Sustainability is increasingly becoming a business concern. The most often cited definition is the one created by the Bruntland Commission, which defined sustainability "as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own." For many companies, sustainability is only skin-deep-this is hardly the case for New Belgium Brewing Company. Founded in 1991 by electrical engineer and home brewer Jeff Lebesch and his wife Kim Jordan, a social worker, New Belgium Brewing Company in Fort Collins, Colorado, has always looked for ways to be environmentally, employee, and socially responsible. Embracing new technology, using alternative forms of energy, looking for means to reduce waste, being a good citizen in the community, and above all implementing sustainable employee practices all drive the basic business philosophy and daily decisions at New Belgium. From the brewery's inception, Jeff and Kim knew it would require the support of committed employees to accomplish their vision. Their innovative employee-owner business model began with their first hire and continues now that they have grown to more than 350 employees. It is this idea of employees sharing in both the benefits and the risks that inspires New Belgium's employees to seek out new ways to contribute to the overall success and long-term growth of the company. Kim and Jeff extend the employee owner mentality throughout the company and exemplify it through their practice of open book management and policy of fiscal transparency. Giving employees a sense of ownership and opening the books encourages a community of trust and mutual responsibility. New Belgium's success does not merely lie in the employee owner business model but also in a company-wide commitment to energy efficiency and social responsibility. It is this ownership mentality that motivated their warehouse technician to spend a percentage of his time rebuilding wooden pallets. Sustainability in Action Sustainability is increasingly becoming a business concern. The most often cited definition is the one created by the Bruntland Commission, which defined sustainability "as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own." For many companies, sustainability is only skin-deep-this is hardly the case for New Belgium Brewing Company. Founded in 1991 by electrical engineer and home brewer Jeff Lebesch and his wife Kim Jordan, a social worker, New Belgium Brewing Company in Fort Collins, Colorado, has always looked for ways to be environmentally, employee, and socially responsible. Embracing new technology, using alternative forms of energy, looking for means to reduce waste, being a good citizen in the community, and above all implementing sustainable employee practices all drive the basic business philosophy and daily decisions at New Belgium. From the brewery's inception, Jeff and Kim knew it would require the support of committed employees to accomplish their vision. Their innovative employee-owner business model began with their first hire and continues now that they have grown to more than 350 employees. It is this idea of employees sharing in both the benefits and the risks that inspires New Belgium's employees to seek out new ways to contribute to the overall success and long-term growth of the company. Kim and Jeff extend the employee owner mentality throughout the company and exemplify it through their practice of open book management and policy of fiscal transparency. Giving employees a sense of ownership and opening the books encourages a community of trust and mutual responsibility. New Belgium's success does not merely lie in the employee owner business model but also in a company-wide commitment to energy efficiency and social responsibility. It is this ownership mentality that motivated their warehouse technician to spend a percentage of his time rebuilding wooden pallets. Since its inception, New Belgium has donated millions of dollars and thousands of hours to organizations nationwide in the communities in which it does business. New Belgium employees work hard to support these local communities, and for every barrel of beer sold the prior year they donate $1 to a variety of philanthropic causes. New Belgium hires people for fit as well as competencies. Sustainable employee relationships are built through employee ownership, open book management, and a commitment to work-life balance. At the same time employees remain result-focused. And in line with the product line, each employee gets a cruiser bike after one year of work and a trip to Belgium after five. The philosophy is expressed on the side of New Belgium beer packaging and starts with "In this box is our labor of love." It best captures the spirit and commitment of New Belgium employees. Questions 1 What are sustainable HR practices and how do they affect employees? 2 How can HR discover the sustainability sweet spot of an organization when it comes to employment relations