Job Seekers Are Recognizing the Importance of Finding a Green Workplace

Beyond.com, Inc., the worldís largest network of specialty career communities, recently polled business professionals throughout its network of more than 15,000 sites to gauge how important it is for professionals to find an environmentally-friendly workplace for their next job.

More than 5,500 Beyond.com Network visitors responded to the recent poll question:

ìHow important is finding an environmentally-aware workplace for your next job?î

16% - required for my next job
19% - a deciding factor between two similar jobs
44% - nice to have, but not a real deciding factor
21% - not something I am actively looking for

The results of Beyond.comís poll indicate having an environmentally-friendly workplace is becoming more than just a trend. Companies that make the decision to invest time, money and resources to ìgo greenî are not only helping the earth, but are also attracting a number of potential employees who consider a green workplace a requirement or deciding factor for their next job. With so many companies jumping on the bandwagon to go green, sites such as Carbonrally.com can provide a convenient way to kick start a corporate or personal program.

ìIt is clear that the environment and overall quality of life is becoming a top priority for many people and companies, so itís no surprise the trend to go green is starting to affect career choices for many job seekers, says Rich Milgram, CEO of Beyond.com, Inc. ìMore and more companies are creating green programs and advertising their initiatives on their corporate websites and in job descriptions to attract these eco-friendly candidates to their company. ì

ìThe office is an ideal place to team-up and make a larger contribution to green issues,î says Jason Karas, Founder of Carbonrally.com. ìCurrently, there are 40 corporate teams competing in Carbonrally, which are making a significant impact on the environment. The key is finding a few dedicated leaders that can pull people together and focus on creating powerful initiatives.î

Below are some helpful tips on how businesses can create an environmentally-friendly workplace and motivate employees to participate in company-sponsored ìgreenî initiatives:

Get Employees Excited ñ Create an internal ìgreen teamî to help develop and promote environmentally-friendly initiatives throughout the company.

Promote Recycling ñ Place recycle bins in high-traffic areas, such as copy or lunch rooms, to promote recycling of paper, plastics, bottles and cans.

Save Energy ñ Optimize energy settings on all company computers, and encourage employees to turn off their computers and office lights when they leave work.

Encourage Carpooling ñ Encourage employees to take alternative methods of transportation (public transportation, bike riding) or organize an internal carpool. Employers can also invest in technology that enables their employees to telecommute.

Track and Promote Company Progress ñTrack new initiatives and join an association or online community that generates new ideas and provides ways to measure green efforts. Promote your eco-friendly initiatives on your website, in collateral and when posting your next job.