Over the last few months, newly elected Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has been pushing an agenda to save the planet. Dubbed the “Green New Deal,” this policy aims to drastically cut carbon emissions from industries like electricity generation to transportation to agriculture. Ocasio-Cortez says that this policy will help to create jobs and boost the economy. What does this mean for recruiters?
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For one, climate change is drastically shaping our planet, and because of this, more people are getting involved and doing their fair share to reduce their carbon footprint. And, they’re looking to work for companies that share the same values. If your company hasn’t adopted a “green” mentality, you may be missing out on top talent.
Swytch—a blockchain-based clean energy platform—recently conducted a survey of 1,000 employees in the United States who either currently work for or have worked for a company with over 5,000 employees to explore their sentiments about employers’ corporate sustainability activities.
A Majority of Workers Want Green Employers
The survey results showed that employees of all generations look for companies that have programs set in place to be more sustainable. Gen Z and Millennials in particular are the most enthusiastic about pursuing and staying loyal to greener companies.
When choosing a company to work for, over 70% of people surveyed are more likely to work for a company that has a strong green footprint. Nearly half of respondents are even willing to accept a smaller salary to work for an environmentally and socially responsible company. In fact, over 10% would accept a salary decrease between $5,000 and $10,000, and over 3% would even be inclined to accept a decrease of over $10,000 per year.
Younger generations feel the most strong about their employers’ taking steps to increase corporate sustainability. Over a third of both Gen Z and Millennials say it would be a deal-breaker for them to work for a company that does not have a strong sustainability culture, whereas under a quarter of Gen X and only 17% of Baby Boomers would agree. In fact, nearly 40% of Millennials have accepted one job offer over another because that company was sustainable.
Beyond just attracting new talent, Swytch’s study shows that creating and circulating long-term sustainability goals will also help a business retain its employees. Nearly 70% of respondents say that a strong sustainability plan would affect their decision to stay with a company long term. In fact, about 30% have left a company due to its lack of a corporate sustainability agenda, and over 11% have done so more than once.
Other interesting findings include:
- 35% of total respondents, and over 40% of Millennials, have committed more time and effort to a company because they were happy with its sustainability agenda.
- Across the political spectrum, both liberals (95%) and conservatives (89%) overwhelmingly agree that companies should be rewarded for producing and/or consuming renewable energy.
- Over a third of respondents believe that the national government should be primarily responsible for addressing climate change, while nearly a quarter of respondents believe large corporations should be responsible.
“Extreme weather events and natural disasters are serving as a wake-up call to the severe effects of greenhouse gas emissions,” says Evan Caron, co-founder and managing director of Swytch. “As a growing number of employees are eager to see corporations take a stand on environmental responsibility, employers will have to respond accordingly in order to attract and retain top talent.”
Attracting and Retaining Talent Through Sustainability
So, what are some ways recruiters and hiring managers can attract and retain talent that is focused on green companies? Freelance journalist Chuck Leddy offers these tips:
- Invest in “green” facilities and technologies. For example, Leddy says, installing motion sensors in your workplace that turn off the lights when nobody is in the room will help save energy and money. Leddy also offers the idea of establishing a program that rewards and recognizes employees who come up with ideas that reduce waste and save resources.
- Spread the word about your sustainability initiatives. Leddy says, “You’ll want to develop a reputation for caring about more than cold, hard cash. Nothing does that like walking the walk and talking the talk.” Leddy suggests loading your company website with images, news, and other content that proves to prospective employees that your company cares about the environment and is taking actionable steps to be more “green.”
- Make sustainability part of your company’s mission. Emphasize how your company is making the world a better place in your mission statement. Leddy says, “When your workforce can see how your company’s mission creates a positive, meaningful impact in the world, they’ll feel more motivated to support it. This is how to inspire millennials.”
- Offer paid time off to let employees volunteer. Leddy suggests informing your employees about the local causes in your area and how your company can help support these and other nonprofit organizations. “Then coordinate with your employees to volunteer as a group with the chosen cause or nonprofit once a quarter or twice a year,” says Leddy. “You could also offer them personalized volunteer time off days, so they can volunteer with a charity that is personally important to them.”
It’s apparent that more workers, and employers, are starting to understand their carbon footprint and are working to lessen their impact. By using the suggestions outlined above, your company stands a greater chance at attracting like-minded talent.