British industry is witnessing the rise of the Green Collar Worker ñ thatís according to Fujitsu Siemens Computers. Recent research from the company shows that 78% of British workers believe that theyíre more environmentally conscious today than they were five years ago. So much so, that a growing number of them have begun to take their green consciences with them to work.
When at home, 85% of workers say that they recycle waste and 67% say they would choose to walk or cycle for a journey of up to a mile. Almost a half (45%) also say that they purchase organic food products and 29% make a point of dealing with ethical companies.
But itís outside the home where the results are perhaps more encouraging as workersí enthusiasm to ëgo greení appears to be spilling over into the workplace.
Almost two-thirds (63%) of British workers make sure that they consciously save energy by turning off their PCs overnight and 68% say that they already recycle paper at work. More than a quarter of (27%) employees have gone as far as actively lobbying their employer to implement more environmentally friendly policies (such as procurement of green IT systems, energy saving and recycling).
Interestingly, one in four workers are also active in trying to reduce their daily fuel consumption by lift sharing with a colleague(s).
Fujitsu Siemens Computers released the first RoHS compliant ìgreenî laptop ñ the AMILO V2030 in September 2005. Garry Owen, Head of Product Marketing at the company commented: ìItís great to see that 75% of the country feel more environmentally aware than they did five years ago, but even more so that the green domestic habits of British workers are beginning to be transferred to the workplace. Whilst there is still more to be done in order to close the gap between how green we are at home and at work the results are certainly encouraging.î
Garry Owen continued: ìFujitsu Siemens Computers has pioneered the development of green IT systems and promoting their use in both the home and the workplace for some time now. We hope that continued pressure and awareness from this emerging group of ëgreen collar workersí - alongside green IT directives such as WEEE and RoHS ñ can only help to make many more UK businesses greener places to work over the next five years.î
Rise of the Green Collar Worker
Research shows that Britons are taking green ethics to work with them
