Workers want firms to improve environmental policies

Research commissioned to mark today’s World Environment Day claims employees expect their employers to commit to better environmental policies and sustainability, with three quarters of office workers (73 percent) wanting their workplace to improve its sustainability policy, and nearly a quarter (24 percent) claiming they would refuse a job at an organisation with a poor sustainability record.

The research from TopLine Film suggests that company-wide commitments to sustainability help to both attract and retain employees. The theme for this year’s UN World Environment Day is #BeatAirPollution, with research from the World Health Organisation showing that 9 out of 10 people worldwide breathe polluted air on a daily basis.

The data also claims that nearly a third (31 percent) don’t think their workplace is sustainable from an environmental point of view. When asked whose responsibility it is for an eco-friendly workplace, the majority (72 percent) said all employees were responsible, followed by the CEO (24 percent) and the HR department (17 percent).

[perfectpullquote align=”right” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“Establishing environmentally friendly practices in the workplace is simply good for business. Attracting and retaining employees is as good a motivation as any other to get your company thinking about sustainability.”[/perfectpullquote]

Jamie Field, MD of TopLine Films said: “Establishing environmentally friendly practices in the workplace is simply good for business. Attracting and retaining employees is as good a motivation as any other to get your company thinking about sustainability. But a sustainable mindset starts from the top – it’s only fair that those in charge show their commitment to the cause, and implement policies that encourage sustainability at work.”

When asked what their workplaces currently do to address sustainability, the most popular activity was recycling office waste (50 percent). Others cited policies to reduce paper usage (29 percent), reminding staff to reduce energy consumption (29 percent), using energy efficient fixtures (27 percent), hosting virtual meetings to reduce travel time (26 percent) and encouraging reusable kitchenware (24 percent).

Field continues: “Encouraging sustainability in your workplace doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. With over 15 tons of plastic dumped in the ocean every minute, banning single use plastic in the office is a logical step towards sustainability. It’s our collective responsibility to make a difference to our planet and it starts with making small changes. These simple policies remind everyone about sustainability and your commitment to it.”