Research indicates that young UK employees expect more sustainable practices from their employers.
- Over half of all workers desire increased sustainability investments from their companies.
- Sustainable benefits, such as electric vehicles, are gaining popularity among younger employees.
- A significant number of employees perceive a lack of employer focus on sustainability to affect morale.
- Businesses are at risk of losing talent if they do not align with these growing sustainability expectations.
Recent findings reveal a pronounced desire among younger UK employees for their employers to prioritize and enhance sustainability. This trend is emerging as the workforce increasingly comprises environmentally conscious generations.
Amongst employees, particularly those aged 18-34, over half express a strong interest in having their employers commit to greater sustainability efforts. An overwhelming 61% of younger employees are pushing for this shift. This demographic views sustainable initiatives, such as electric vehicles and environmentally friendly pensions, as essential in modern benefits packages.
There is a notable discrepancy between employee expectations and employer actions, with 33% of young workers feeling that sustainability is not being adequately addressed by their employers. This disconnect is impacting morale significantly as 42% believe insufficient sustainability efforts are detrimental to workplace satisfaction.
The call for sustainable benefits is not just a preference but a rising demand, with 44% of businesses recognizing an uptick in employee inquiries about such perks. However, only 29% feel their current benefits platform sufficiently meets personal needs, highlighting an area ripe for improvement.
Matt Russell, CEO of Zest, emphasizes the necessity for businesses to adjust to these demands, suggesting that enhanced sustainability in benefits could aid talent attraction and retention amidst a competitive job market. Effective utilization of employee benefits technology could provide the personalization needed to cater to diverse employee demands.
Aligning with employee sustainability expectations is essential for businesses to maintain morale and attract new talent.
