Sustainability at work affects workers’ home habits

A new study reveals that sustainability efforts in the workplace have a strong link with how ‘green’ employees are back at home.

The survey of more than 1,000 employees in the USA by global business communications firm Gibbs & Soell, shows that almost three quarters (73%) of workers who take part in environmental and social responsibility efforts at work are more likely to make sustainable choices at home as a result.

It also highlights that many employees are not impressed by their company’s efforts towards sustainability, with 19% believing that their firm did nothing at all to help the environment.

Green marketing power

From an interesting marketing perspective, 75% of employed adults said they would be more likely to buy a company’s products or services if they learned it was making a great effort to adopt environmentally-conscious practices.

The results of Gibbs & Soell’s fourth annual ‘Sense and Sustainability’ study put increasing pressure on UK businesses to create a green office environment and encourage more sustainable thinking among their workforces.

Ron Loch, Principal and Managing Director, Sustainability Consulting, at Gibbs & Soell, explains that the study set out to investigate how to encourage sustainable purchase decisions at work.

He says: “We found that the ripple effect of engaging employees in sustainability activities means they are more likely to practice sustainability at home and encourage neighbours to do the same. However, not enough employers seem to be taking advantage of this opportunity to create green consumers. 67% of staff could not identify who at their workplace is responsible for sustainability, or said no one is responsible.”

Time to rethink your environmental efforts?

UK businesses may be able to draw valuable conclusions from this survey – both in terms of making a committed difference to the environment, and harnessing a wealth of potential consumer goodwill. Businesses that can think creatively about their efforts to create a green office environment – and capture the imagination of employees – are more likely to reap rewards.

Why not ask your staff for suggestions as to how your business can behave more sustainably?  The responses could make a world of difference to your company.