Let’s face it; we don’t go into the field of Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) without wanting to make a difference in the world. And yet, whether we work in a small, medium, or large-sized organization, none of us is solely responsible for how well EHS performs. The “home” that EHS has within an organization can make a big difference in its effectiveness — and in how well EHS professionals meet our personal career goals.
Suppose you are interviewing for positions as an Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) professional at Organization A and Organization B. EHS reports to a director in the Human Resources department in Company A, three levels below the CEO. At Organization B, EHS reports to the VP of Product Development. What does the placement of EHS within the organization tell you about the likelihood for on-the-job fulfillment or frustration? What does it tell you about each organization’s vision for and commitment to EHS? Does this align with your own perspective on EHS?