Sustainable Humans: A framework for applying Sustainable HRM principles to the Events Industry

Abstract

Most research into human resource management offers best practice strategies but often assumes that employees and organizations are homogenous. The events industry is fundamentally different: it is a stressful, fast paced, competitive, deadline-driven industry with unsociable working hours. Human resource management (HRM) in events currently adopts a short-term and operational approach, which has led to the industry having high staff turnover, and employees suffering from high levels of stress, poor mental health, and professional burnout. Using an online survey and in-depth semistructured interviews with event industry employees, this article critically examines sustainable HRM principles with the aim of understanding if, and how, they could be implemented in the events industry as an alternative to reduce employee stress and to achieve longer-term well-being—a state that is beneficial not just to the individual, but to organizations and the industry as a whole. A framework for future research is presented and practical implications discussed.