More than a third (39%) of over 55s would turn down an offer to work for an unethical or non-sustainable company even if it offered a highly competitive package, reveals a national survey of 2,000 people commissioned by Resource Solutions, leading provider of workforce and advisory solutions.
Furthermore, one in four (27%) respondents over the age of 55 claim they would ‘climate quit’ if their employer displayed ‘greenwashing’ behaviour, countering the notion that solely younger generations are driving the push for sustainable practices.
Nonetheless, Gen Z employees lead the way as the most environmentally-conscious age demographic, with over half (54%) agreeing that they would leave their current employer if they were making false claims about eco-friendliness, using green-themed marketing without substance or engaging in token environmental initiatives.
More broadly, over a third (35%) of the UK workforce are open to ‘climate quitting’, and half of all respondents (48%) stated there are certain fields of work they would never consider joining due to their environmental and moral standpoint, even if it offered a highly competitive package.
Londoners are the most eco-conscious job candidates, with 59% saying they would turn down a pay rise if it meant straying from their moral convictions and moving to an industry with a bad track record for ESG – which is 20% higher than in the Midlands and Yorkshire and Humber.
Tom Lakin, Global Practice Director at Resource Solutions, said: “While it is often assumed that younger generations are more environmentally and socially conscious than their older colleagues – our data paints a more nuanced picture.
“Against the backdrop of a current skills shortage, it’s vital businesses retain loyal employees with decades of experience behind them. The world has experienced a pandemic, a recession, and the ever-escalating climate crisis in just a few years, and employees are more than ever seeking a purpose-driven, inclusive and value-led employer.”
Committed to assisting organisations in embracing ESG practices and attracting top talent, Resource Solutions recently launched the Employee Sustainability Proposition (ESP) audit, which enables businesses to have their sustainability offering and employer branding evaluated, and receive actionable recommendations.
Employee Sustainability Proposition (ESP) is defined by Resource Solutions as the environmental, social and governance promises employers make to their employees, which forms part of the overall Employer Value Proposition (EVP) – the sum package of benefits and rewards employees receive from the organisation they work for.
Lakin added, “To attract skilled employees of all ages and retain the best talent across the board, investing in improving their Employee Sustainability Proposition (ESP) needs to be a top priority for businesses.
“As an example, employers can weave the company’s wider ESG mission into the job descriptions for all advertised roles, not just ‘green jobs’ – giving people in all areas of the businesses a chance to be involved and demonstrate their commitment to the environment.”
