It Pays to Be Green

It’s difficult to go a day without seeing the latest “green” news in the headlines. From the fight against global warming to fuel emission standards to the Obama administration’s recent announcement that it will spend $4 billion to create green jobs, environment-related initiatives have become an important fixture of society.

As a result, businesses of all kinds are answering the call to help save the planet, and sustainable practices are no longer just nice things to have – they have become necessary to reduce operating costs, embrace new technology and connect with customers who share similar earth-friendly beliefs. Of course this is an obvious win-win; you’re saving the planet and improving your business at the same time.

Attracting and retaining talent
Greening your organization means you will likely attract more top talent, especially as more people identify with environmental issues. Even in a difficult economy, having a valuable point of differentiation can be the key to finding your next great hire.

Hopefully, your green efforts will also keep those people on board longer. As more and more people expect their jobs to offer opportunities to give back and get involved in their communities, green practices can be a reason for employees to stay at your company, ultimately saving turnover expenses and reducing cost-to-hire.

There are several ways to green your organization to better attract and retain the most valuable asset in this industry — your people. Creating green jobs, getting your employees involved and working with your community are just a few strategies that can help you conserve your staff along with the planet.

Create Green Jobs. This can be a viable strategy in setting your company apart from others and strengthening your employment brand as a sustainable organization. Recent CareerBuilder research found that one in 10 retail employers have added environment-focused positions in the last 12 months. It won’t be long before you’ll need to do the same to stay competitive.

Get Employees Involved. The implementation of green programs that get current employees involved is another way for retail employers to become better connected with the environment. Seventy-one percent of retail organizations say they have added programs to be more environmentally conscious in the last year. The most popular green programs among retailers are:

• Recycling (46 percent)

• Using less paper (40 percent)

• Controlling lighting (42 percent)

• Purchasing office supplies made from recycled materials (24 percent)

• Powering down computers at the end of the day (21 percent)

Reach Out. In addition to creating green positions and adopting sustainability programs in the workplace, another way to have an effect on green-minded job candidates and current employees is to make a difference in your community.

Recent CareerBuilder research found that 58 percent of retail workers feel that making a difference in others’ lives would make their jobs ideal. An additional 35 percent said they would take a pay cut if they could have a job that allowed them to give back to the community and world.

So what can you do to give back and address the needs of your workforce? Organize a day of volunteering at a local nature reserve, sponsor a recycling program, plant trees – do anything to demonstrate your commitment to the planet. You’ll show your potential employees and your current workers that you are socially responsible and care about the greater good.

Going green helps contribute to saving the planet, can improve your bottom line and aid recruitment and retention efforts. Start small today and you’ll begin to attract and retain the talent you need to make your business thrive.