Overview
ISO/TR 30406:2017 - "Human resource management - Sustainable employability management for organizations" is a Technical Report from ISO that provides guiding principles for developing and implementing sustainable employability policies at the organizational level. The document clarifies how organizations can create the conditions for employees to gain, maintain and transfer knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) throughout their working lives, while balancing job requirements with workforce well‑being. It focuses on embedding sustainable employability into strategy, culture and operational HR practices.
Key Topics
The standard organizes sustainable employability into three main clusters and associated topics:
- Cluster 1 - Integration into policy
- Mission/vision and sustainable employability goals
- Leadership, ownership and workforce planning
- Implementation, communication and culture
- Cluster 2 - Work capabilities, content and conditions
- Work content and job complexity
- Skills development, training and transferable KSAs
- Workplace relationships and working conditions
- Cluster 3 - Vitality and health
- Health management and healthy/safe work environments
- Physical and mental health, well‑being and work–life balance
Additional components:
- Guiding principles for translating sustainability concepts into HR practice
- Annex A (informative) describing an implementation process
- Emphasis on the organizational (not governmental or purely individual) level
Keywords: ISO/TR 30406:2017, sustainable employability, human resource management, workforce planning, skills development, employee wellbeing.
Practical Applications
ISO/TR 30406:2017 is practical and actionable for organizations seeking to:
- Integrate sustainable employability into corporate strategy and HR policy
- Develop workforce planning aligned to changing business needs and KSAs
- Design training, redeployment and career pathways to maintain employability
- Improve employee health, safety, mental well‑being and work–life balance
- Build organizational agility, reduce turnover and manage staffing costs
- Communicate employability goals and measure related outcomes (e.g., reduced absenteeism, improved retention)
The guidance helps organizations of any size or sector tailor a mix of policies and interventions that reflect their industry‑specific needs.
Who Should Use This Standard
- HR leaders and talent managers
- Executive boards and senior leadership
- Occupational health & safety teams
- Workforce planners and learning & development professionals
- HR consultants and organizational development specialists
Related Standards
- Developed by ISO/TC 260 (Human resource management)
- Related guidance: ISO/TS 30407 (human resource metrics) and other ISO HR documents that address measurement and reporting of workforce outcomes.
ISO/TR 30406:2017 is a foundation for embedding sustainable employability into everyday HR practice, aligning employee well‑being with long‑term organizational performance.