Topics such as DEI and sustainability have dominated headlines in the last six months, largely due to what’s happening across the pond with the recent US administration dismantling federal programmes and corporates visibility rolling back on these policies.
June seems like an appropriate time to re-examine the current state of play concerning sustainability in the UK, given the amount of environmental themed awareness days that fall this month – such as World Environment Day (5th), World Oceans Day (8th) and World Rainforest Day (22nd), to mention just a few.
So, how aware are employees of sustainability, what are their attitudes towards it and how are they expecting their employers to deliver on these initiatives?
Most employees want efforts stepped up
The fact remains that businesses need to back up their sustainability claims and plans – especially if Britain’s businesses hope to retain their brightest talent.
According to our research, half (51%) of employees want their employer to step up efforts and invest more in sustainability, this figure rises to 61% for younger workers aged 18-34. Worryingly, a third (33%) of this age group also believe that their employers simply do not care about the issue.
When thinking about sustainability, many leaders are likely to immediately shift their focus on mitigating scope 1 and 2 emissions. Yet a key area that is often overlooked by businesses is their benefits packages. And the demand from employees to offer environmentally friendly perks is clearly there.
Benefits packages often overlooked
Over half (53%) of UK employees would like to see their company investing in more sustainable benefits – this number rises to 66% for 18-34 year olds. This shift is not going unnoticed by employers – more than four in ten (44%) businesses report an increase in the number of employees asking for sustainable benefits such as electric vehicle schemes or sustainable pension funds.
Considering employee benefits more broadly, offering a targeted and effective rewards package is essential in modern workplaces – it is also vital to attracting and retaining top talent.
Our latest piece of research, published earlier in the year finds that half (52%) of employees say a good benefits package is the most important thing they look for in employment, rising to two thirds (66%) of those aged 18-34. The fact is, if a business doesn’t successfully deliver on its benefits package another employer will – impacting an organisation’s productivity, talent retention and competitiveness.
Next gen care about sustainability deeply
With the next generation increasingly populating the UK’s workforce, many of whom are both more concerned about their benefits packages and naturally more engaged in sustainability initiatives to safeguard their future, businesses need to demonstrate that they are clearly committed to sustainability, ethical and environmentally friendly practices in more ways than one.
While more ‘traditional’ ways of thinking about sustainability shouldn’t be disregarded, such as efficient operation management and transparent ESG reporting, leaders should also consider the ways they can align with their employees’ values on a more personal level.
Align with employee values on a personal level
Integrating innovative employee benefits technology can help businesses enable more targeted and flexible benefits – including more sustainable options.
Using data and insights derived from benefits platforms like Zest, means employers can also send targeted communications to employees to accommodate changing demands while ensuring that the right benefits reach the right employees at the right time.
Not only will offering personalised and sustainable benefits mean businesses can better meet the demands of their employees, boosting their ability to attract and retain talent, but perhaps more crucially, it will support the UK’s broader journey to net zero.
About the author
Matt Russell was appointed CEO of benefits technology platform Zest in 2023. He has over 20 years of experience in the HR and benefits sectors, previously held senior positions at HR-software business, CIPHR, and benefits platform provider, Benefex.
Zest provides flexible benefits services for a wide range of well-known businesses across the world, including Hargreaves Lansdown, Taylor Wimpey, ADP and Travis Perkins.
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