British Workers Put Environmentally Irresponsible Bosses Under The Spotlight

Almost two thirds (62%) of British workers think it is important that the organisation they work for is environmentally friendly, yet half say their employers are shirking this responsibility, according to research from web collaboration experts WebEx published today. The study also highlights that although 63% of workers would be prepared to change their working habits in order to reduce their carbon footprint, there is a lack of understanding of the steps that need to be taken.

The study* asked 2,182 British workers if they felt their organisation is environmentally responsible and revealed:

More than one in three (38%) British workers say their organisation does not take any measures to reduce its impact on the planet

Only 6% of British workers say their organisation encourages employees to work from home to reduce the pollution of travelling to work

Only 4% of British workers say their organisation has switched to a renewable energy company

12% of employees have trialled web conferencing, however only 6% regularly meet online instead of travelling to business meetings

Bert van der Zwan, VP EMEA, WebEx commented, ìThe commercial sector has the fastest growing energy use, aside from aviation. While it is encouraging that so many workers would like to reduce their impact on the environment, businesses need to wake up to the need to employ business practices that are profitable and sustainable.î

The research has revealed that when it comes to creating a ëgreenerí workplace, by taking advantage of technology and other means to reduce the businesses carbon footprint, UK workers fit into five distinct profiles:

Environmental Shirkers
Almost one in three (29%) British workers are Environmental Shirkers, who say that they would like to be ëgreen workersí but donít want to invest the extra time and effort required to do it.

Office Environmentalists
Fortunately, 17% of British workers fall into the Office Environmentalist group. These employees are committed to reducing their impact on the environment at work by adopting new methods and technologies, such as web conferencing or other energy saving measures. With one in ten workers also stating they would be prepared to contribute money from their own pockets to make their company more environmentally friendly, itís clear that there is a real desire for change amongst some British workers.

Clueless Greenies and Repressed Environmentalists
With almost one in five (19%) workers a small, but growing group are the Clueless Greenies, who are concerned about the effects of environmental damage, but have no idea about what steps need to be taken. A further 16% would like to be more environmentally friendly at work, but lack the resources. Nicknamed the Repressed Environmentalists these workers are full of good intentions, but blame their employers for not providing them with the tools to limit their carbon footprint.

Green Meanies
Alarmingly, 5% admit that they do hardly care about the environment. Known as the Green Meanies, these workers admit that they take no steps to alter their impact on the environment because they think it is too much effort.

Bert van der Zwan added, ìAlmost one in five (19%) British workers are unsure of what they need to do to limit their workplaceís carbon footprint. However, there are a number of easy measures businesses can take. For example, enabling employees to meet online instead of travelling to face-to-face meetings will not only reduce businessesí corporate carbon dioxide footprint, it will also lower the overall cost of doing business.î

To encourage businesses to experience the benefits of web conferencing first hand, WebEx is offering a free trial of its virtual meetings service. WebEx meetings provide a productive alternative to business travel, which is a leading contributor to harmful carbon dioxide emissions. For a 14 day free trial go to www.webex.com/go/uk-freetrial

There are a number of ways that businesses can reduce their carbon footprint from investing in renewable energy, to reducing business travel and offsetting unavoidable emissions. WebEx partner The CarbonNeutral Company has developed a series of carbon calculators, which enable individuals and businesses to measure their carbon emissions and offers advice on reducing these emissions.

* About the Research
YouGov on behalf of WebEx carried out the survey online between 13th and 17th July 2006, with a nationally representative sample of 3,398 GB 18 adults. 2,182 of these were in employment. Results are weighted to be representative of the GB adult population.