Health & Fitness
Greening of the American Workplace
Highlights of a survey by Buck Consultants shows a significant increase in businesses adopting "green" strategies because of the economic benefits.
Businesses are continuing to adopt green business practices throughout the US. Seventy-eight percent of those surveyed consider cost savings as the number one motivator "while the creation of community goodwill (58 percent) and employee engagement/morale (56 percent) round out the top three motivators."
Adrienne Mitchel of Market Watch interviewed Allison Artnak of Buck Consultants on a webinar. (Buck is an independent subsidiary of ACS, A Xerox Company)
Overall, 69 percent of survey respondents have green programs in place, an increase from 53 percent last year.
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According to Xerox News, among the organizations that have a formal green program, the most common practices are:
- Recycling and paper reduction (97%)
- Web and/or teleconferencing (95%)
- Healthy living and wellness (85%)
- Internal green communication programs (81%)
- Light sensors (75%)
Leadership is a critical factor for success of green workforce initiatives. The survey found that 88 percent of employers with green programs include the CEO in development and communications while 91 percent of respondents appointed a dedicated leader for their green efforts."
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Among employers that provide incentives to encourage green behaviors, 43 percent provide special employee recognition, 19 percent give prizes, and 14 percent provide a monetary reward.
"The survey analyzed responses from more than 100 organizations in the United States, representing a wide range of industries including financial services, manufacturing, health care, and non-profits. The research was conducted during the fourth quarter of 2010, and examines the types of green processes, policies, and programs employers are using to manage environmental and operational issues."
"The Greening of the American Workplace 2010" is available to the media at no cost by contacting Ed Gadowski at 201-902-2825. It is available to other interested parties for $200 from Buck's Global Survey Resources, 50 Fremont Street, 12th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105. Telephone 1-800-887-0509. It also can be ordered online at http://www.bucksurveys.com.
