"Going green" not only helps reduce your company's carbon footprint and benefits the environment, but it can also help you to attract and retain top talent and there's been a LOT of research to back this up.
The vast majority of Gen Zs and millennials (90%) are making at least some effort to reduce their own impact on the environment. They want businesses, and their own employers, to do more. Only 18% of Gen Zs and 16% of millennials believe their employers are strongly committed to fighting climate change. Gen Zs and millennials want to see employers prioritize visible climate actions that enable employees to get directly involved, such as banning single-use plastics and providing training to help people make better environmental decisions - Deloitte
The shift towards hybrid working during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns led to a significant increase in the number of employees working from home. As many of us grappled with homeschooling and Zoom links, a survey conducted by the Office for National Statistics found that more than three-quarters (78%) of those who worked from home said that being able to do so gave them an improved work-life balance. Half reported it was quicker to complete their work because they had fewer distractions and almost half of those surveyed additionally reported improved well-being.
Allowing hybrid working can save companies money too. In fact, it's estimated that around £8 billion per year can be grabbed back simply by offering flexible working options. These savings of both carbon emissions and cost, come from reduced energy and building outgoings, as well as increased productivity and employee retention.
Employees who work from home are proven to be more productive, have higher job satisfaction, and are less likely to leave their jobs compared to those who work solely in an office. So by at least offering hybrid work options, businesses can not only reduce their carbon footprint and save on energy costs, but they can also improve employee satisfaction and retention. Replacing staff on a regular basis as we all know is not only disruptive but it's costly and time-consuming too.
As the Deloitte paper shows, millennials and Gen Zs are more likely to care about the company they choose to work for. Never has a Sustainability Statement on your website been more necessary. If you are currently recruiting then you can expect prospective employees to carry out as much due diligence on you as your HR department will do on them. By demonstrating an open, honest and well-thought-out commitment to sustainability and offering hybrid work options, we can all attract and retain top talent while making a positive impact on the environment and improving the bottom line. Hybrid working has become a new perk to add to the list and it's one that Gen Z and millennial employees take very seriously.
The journey to carbon neutrality starts with Measuring your carbon footprint and that's where our Carbon Audit can help. Let us do the hard work and categorise your emissions for you! Get in touch to arrange a no-obligation call, today.
Drop us an email hello@carbonnow.co.uk
References:
Office of National Statistics https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/employmentandemployeetypes/articles/ishybridworkingheretostay/2022-05-23