Harnessing sustainability: its value in attracting new talent

Hewlett Packards, Workforce Sustainability Survey, clearly reveals how employees are more productive, motivated, and engaged when working for an employer who is a leader in social responsibility.

Employees, especially up-and-coming millennial and Gen Z talent want to be part of a journey that contributes to a better environment and a fairer society. 1 in 4 employees confirm they would consider quitting their current role and moving to one offered by a more environmentally responsible company, as stated in the Circular report on, How important is sustainability in attracting talent?

A growing environmental ethos is a driving factor for increasing numbers of jobseekers. In fact, 61% of office workers agree that sustainability is no longer a nice to have for companies, it’s a ‘need to have’.

Yet, while green credentials attract top talent, sustainability is still not perceived as a priority for a great many employers. Here are just a few ways it can help you attract high-quality talent:

1. Make sustainability part of your recruitment. To target the right talent pool, detail how sustainability is critical to your business both in job descriptions and your recruitment advertising.

2. Align with millennials’ values in your recruitment. By 2025, millennials will account for approximately 75% of the workforce. Around 30% of staff have said that they have worked harder for businesses that employ these strategies. You’ll find more on this in our article on recruiting and retaining Gen X. 

3. Turn employees into ambassadors. With sustainability figuring high as a point of pride in an employer, it’s likely employees will, in turn, share your company’s activities with like-minded friends, on LinkedIn, and on professional network websites; further building your reputation and supporting your recruitment initiatives.