Employees are leaving companies that don’t align with their environment, social, and governance (ESG) standards. Quitting because of employers’ inaction or misaligned commitments is growing in popularity, hence the term “climate quitting.”
Although it may seem counterproductive to resign from a job, it’s a way people set boundaries and stand up for going green. Here’s some information about climate quitting your business should consider to keep workers from leaving and stand up for the environment.
1. Consider Company Culture
Your company culture can define a business and make or break employee retention. Transparency is essential because it clarifies a company’s values. Employees, customers, and suppliers often seek sustainable practices, so build a culture that explicitly embeds sustainability principles into every aspect of your business. Organizations that align with sustainable practices are more likely to succeed in today’s world and attract the right people.
2. Increase Employee Satisfaction
Many employees are willing to take a salary cut to work for a green company or an environmentally friendly business, and 80% of young professionals prefer to work for sustainable companies. As such, prioritizing your ESG strategy will increase worker satisfaction in your organization.
Putting your ESG strategy into practice will also improve engagement and employee retention and attract consumers and investors. People are increasingly conscious of sustainability efforts, so employee recognition and green initiatives with a transparent company culture are a recipe for success.
3. Be Responsible for Change
Ethical and sustainable practices, regardless of how insignificant, can help reduce climate change, and the responsibility falls on every individual to make an impact. However, within a business, the burden typically falls on the employer.
Therefore, identifying roles and skill sets within the organization and involving employees in the process can boost your company’s success. Share green initiatives during interviews, and get involved in social causes that align with your ESG strategy.
4. Employ Sustainable Solutions
Switching to sustainable solutions is an effective way to keep your staff happy and combat climate change. You can start small by providing reusable coffee cups or other environmentally friendly alternatives in the office, as well as reduce your carbon footprint by installing solar panels or automatic lights that turn off when you leave the room.
Moreover, minimizing waste and offering sustainable solutions can improve your organization’s reputation and your product’s or service’s quality. Transparency in your brand and incorporating green initiatives into your organization will boost sales and garner customer loyalty. Being more eco-friendly can also save you money, which is always great for business and sets you apart from competitors.
5. Offer Hybrid and Remote Roles
Offering flexibility can also help combat climate change. The recent pandemic brought working from home to another level as the world shifted to an alternate reality. Businesses are increasingly allowing employees to work remotely or have a hybrid schedule whereby they’re on-site a few days a week, as well as are offering more flexibility, with 76% of work-from-home staff remaining hybrid or remote.
Remote work has much less of an environmental impact, and less commuting combats climate change in myriad ways, like reducing air pollution and your carbon footprint. Hybrid and remote roles minimize greenhouse gas emissions from traveling to work, and because they reduce or eliminate transportation, hybrid and remote roles also cut the use of fossil fuels.
How to Avoid Climate Quitting
Every small step to help the environment helps combat climate change, and people are taking it upon themselves to find eco-friendly companies to work for. If you do your part to reduce your carbon footprint as a business, you’ll attract and retain employees and position yourself as a leader in the fight against climate change.
Jane Marsh is Editor in Chief at Environment.co.