Employers' dedication to environment as important as profit

But environmental impact more important to women: Survey

American workers seek employment with organizations that are both financially successful and mindful about their impact on and commitment to protecting the environment, according to a survey released by Interface, manufacturer of environmentally responsible modular carpet based in Atlanta.

Almost two-thirds (63 per cent) of full-time workers believe a company's impact on the environment is vital when evaluating a new workplace and 61 per cent say the same about the company's profit margin. An even greater majority -- 71 percent -- value a commitment to sustainability, defined in this study as "environmental protection," as important or very important criteria, found the survey of 504 full-time workers in the United States.

"There is broad recognition that companies that focus on sustainability, or protecting and preserving the environment, are appealing to American workers," said Dan Hendrix, president and CEO of Interface.

"Profits are obviously the lifeblood of any company but what we see here is that employees want their organizations to have more purpose. These results speak to a lasting trend about the kind of long-term-focused organizations that employees want to belong to."

The study also revealed gender disparities in how employees evaluate potential employers. For instance, 78 per cent of female employees feel a company's impact on the environment is particularly important, compared to 52 per cent of male workers.

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