Companies not taking green issues seriously, say over half of UK office workers

Over half (51%) of the UKís office-based workers believe that their employer does not take ëgreení issues seriously, with two in five (40%) placing ërecyclingí at the top of the list of green credentials they look for in a new employer.

New data from international recruitment consultancy Badenoch & Clark shows that employees and jobseekers are placing increasing importance on green issues when it comes to choosing and working for an employer.

When asked whether they thought their employers took ëgreení issues seriously, almost two thirds of workers in the travel and transport sector said yes, compared to just a third (34%) of those employed in the legal sector.

Andy Powell, Director at Badenoch & Clark says, ìCSR and ëgreení credentials have become buzzwords in the business world over recent years and increasingly, employees are demanding more from their employers when it comes to social and environmental issues. Itís vital that companies look at their green credentials when recruiting and take the necessary action to ensure that they are line with employee expectations.î

Time to recycle
Recycling was top of the list for sought after green credentials, with two in five (40%) office workers putting it first. This was followed by energy saving programmes (12%) and incentives to use public transport (9%). Despite government efforts to promote car-sharing for those who travel to work by car, this came bottom of responses with just 2% of office-workers putting it at the top of their green credentials list.

Most important green credential workers look for from employers
1. Recycling ñ 40%
2. Energy saving programme ñ 12%
3. Incentives to use public transport ñ 9%
4. Supporting local initiatives ñ 8%
5. Corporate Social Responsibility schemes ñ 7%
6. Carbon offsetting ñ 5%
7. Cycle to work scheme ñ 2%
- Asking suppliers to adopt a green programme ñ 2%
- Car share scheme ñ 2%

And itís not only confined to workersí existing employers. Two in five (41%) office workers would be more inclined to accept a job with a company with good ëgreen credentialsí. Regionally, candidates in the North West are the most inclined to accept offers from ëgreení companies (48%), compared to just 24% in Wales.

Salary cuts for green credentials

One in 10 (10%) office workers would even take a cut in their salary to work for a company with better green credentials. Those in IT & Telecoms roles are most likely to take a cut in salary (11%) compared to just 4% of those working in the healthcare and manufacturing sectors.

Furthermore, 14% of workers would refuse a job offer from a company with poor green track record.

ìOur research shows that employers need to take into consideration the importance of green credentials when looking to attract prospective employees. Not only are office workers looking at the salary, benefits package and career progression when applying for jobs, they are also looking at what impact their prospective employer has on the environment,î adds Andy Powell.