Going green at work

U.S. companies report challenges and benefits of green policies

Not all employers are jumping on the eco-friendly bandwagon, according to a new survey by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).

While one-half of American workplaces have a formal or informal environmental responsibility policy, 43 per cent have no such policy and no plans to implement one in the next 12 months, which could hurt them in the long run, according to the 2008 SHRM Green Workplace Survey.

“The findings revealed a surprising paradox,” said Susan Meisinger, president and chief executive officer of SHRM in Alexandria, Va. “The study shows that companies really do benefit from environmentally-friendly practices, and yet a large portion of firms have no plans to ‘go green.'”

The survey of 429 HR professionals and 504 employees found companies that implement environmental responsibility programs report considerable benefits.

HR professionals cite improved employee morale (44 per cent) and a stronger public image for the company (42 per cent) as top benefits. They also report increased consumer/customer confidence (20 per cent) a positive financial bottom line (19 per cent) and increased employee loyalty (16 per cent).

Despite the benefits, HR professionals admit that it’s not easy for their companies to become and remain environmentally friendly. The most common barrier to creating an environmental program is implementation cost (85 per cent) followed by maintenance cost (74 per cent). Other barriers include lack of management support (43 per cent), lack of employee support (25 per cent), and concern for workplace inefficiency (20 per cent).

Still, nearly three-in-four employees from companies without environmental programs say they want their employers to “go green.” Seventy-three per cent of surveyed employees in companies without an environmental responsibility policy thought it was very or somewhat important that their organization develop an environmental responsibility policy.

HR's top five environmentally friendly practices

1. Encouraging employees to work more environmentally friendly (83 per cent).

2. Offering a recycling program for office products (83 per cent).

3. Donating and discounting used office furniture and supplies to employees or local charity (73 per cent).

4. Using energy efficient lighting systems and equipment such as Energy Star equipment and occupancy sensors (66 per cent).

5. Installing automatic shutoff for equipment (63 per cent).

Employee's top five environmentally friendly practices:

1. Donating and discounting used office furniture and supplies to employees or local charity (53 per cent).

2. Promoting walking, biking, taking public transit (49 per cent).

3. Using energy efficient lighting systems and equipment (43 per cent).

4. Offering a recycling programs for office products (39 per cent).

5. Encouraging employees to work more environmentally friendly (36 per cent).

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