Staff would take pay cut for eco-friendly employment
Businesses are again being told they risk losing talent if they fail to embrace net zero and clean practices.
According to the latest Bupa Wellbeing Index Report, 67% of Gen Z staff now feel they would be willing to earn less more if their role and company were more climate-positive. This was the highest in any demographic, although across all age ranges two-fifths also agreed the statement reflected their priorities.
On average, workers would be willing to sacrifice 19% of their income in order to work for a more environmentally-sound firm, rising to 23% among Gen Z respondents. Nearly half would be inclined to quit as a result of their employer’s poor record on climate issues, and 42% claim a lack of action from their employer on environmental and social issues had an adverse effect on mental health. This was up from 33% just two years ago.
The results of the study also point to a fine line in terms of expectations as to how corporate climate policies are developed. One-one-in-five workers of all ages do not believe it is acceptable for senior management to publish policies on sustainability without first receiving input from staff. This climbs to almost 30% for Gen Z.
‘For younger workers, it’s essential that their employer is setting and meeting ambitious sustainability goals that they can see is making tangible change. Many Gen Z workers in particular feel their generation is responsible for protecting the environment – a pressure that can take its toll on wellbeing and mental health in the workplace when they see practices that go against good sustainability action,’ said Rachel Murray, Head of Employee Health & Wellbeing at Bupa Global & UK. ‘Giving people more of a direct say in what ESG initiatives they want to see is likely to become more widespread within UK businesses, allowing the workforce to feel more invested.’
More on ESG:
AI climate reporting leaves nowhere to hide corporate net zero failures
Net Zero Tracker launches national and corporate climate target comparison tool
The positive case for ESG and why the USA is in danger of getting it wrong
Image: Johnny Cohen