Employees Place High Standards On Employers’ Environmental Practices

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Posted by Heidi Schwartz

The recently released TD Bank Environmental Attitudes Survey found that 36 percent of respondents consider a company’s environmental stance when seeking employment, and nearly one-quarter of respondents said they would refuse a job if they disagreed with the organization’s sustainable impact. Millennials in particular (age 18 – 34) were significantly more likely to evaluate an organization’s environmental impact – 49 percent – and 28 percent say they would refuse a job based on environmental practices. Fifty-five percent of millennials surveyed also said it is very important that their current employer work to improve its environmental impact.

“The results of our study indicate that employees hold a company’s environmental commitment in high regard,” said Diana Glassman, Head of Environmental Affairs at TD Bank. “Implementing a strong and innovative environmental program is not only the right thing to do, it is an effective way to attract, inspire and retain the best and brightest employees.”

Environmental Practices Matter in the Workplace

According to the survey, employees pay close attention to their employer’s environmental commitment and place importance on the business’ sustainable impact.

  • Forty-six percent of respondents believe it is important for the companies they do business with to operate from environmentally sustainable buildings. Opinions were stronger among millennials (57 percent) and households with children (55 percent).
  • 64 percent of respondents say they would contribute financially to improve their own environmental impact at the workplace. Of that number, 72 percent of millennials say they are willing to contribute financially to make a sustainable difference at their job.
  • Sixty-eight percent of those taking actions to reduce their own environmental impact feel it is either “extremely” or “very” important that their employer does the same.
  • More than 90 percent of respondents would participate in environmentally friendly workplace activities if offered.
  • While 41 percent of respondents are satisfied with their employer’s environmental efforts, only 13 percent are “extremely satisfied,” indicating that there is room for improvement.

Improving Sustainability in Community

Not only does sustainability matter in the workplace, but the survey results demonstrate respondents are also interested in greening their communities.

  • Seventy-one percent of respondents are willing to donate their time to improve the environmental sustainability of their community. Fifty-four percent of millennials and 63 percent of those who are more environmentally active are willing to spend at least two – three hours every month to improve their community.
  • Sixty-nine percent of respondents state they would contribute financially to improve the sustainability of their communities. Of that number, 77 percent of millennials and 74 percent of households with children are willing to invest financially in their communities.

The nationwide TD Bank Environmental Attitudes Survey polled more than 2,200 employed consumers of all ages about their environmental behaviors, preferences and expectations. It was hosted by global research company Angus Reid Public Opinion.