More than half of American employers are adopting 'green' initiatives at the workplace as investment in these programmes gives favourable returns to the companies, says a survey.
According to Buck Consultants, the number of US employers with formal 'green workplace' programmes rose significantly last year with many organisations reporting cost savings from reduced use of paper and electricity.
Buck's 'Greening of the American Workplace 2009' said 53 per cent of employers have green programmes in place, an increase from 43 per cent last year.
The respondents find favourable returns on investment from green programmes at their workplace.
Nearly two-thirds of companies reported cost savings related to paper use and electricity. About 94 per cent of respondents consider cost savings as the most desired return on investment from green programmes, 82 per cent cited community goodwill and 59 per cent mentioned improved stakeholder perception as additional ROI measures.
The companies have cut their costs through various programmes like recycling and slashing use of papers.
Also, the companies have implemented teleconferencing.
"The survey indicates that more companies and its leadership are not only deploying green programmes in the workplace but also realise the significant benefits to their business.
"From increased employee involvement to costs savings, the survey is evidence that going green can boost morale and the bottom line," Buck Consultants director Allison Artnak said.
The survey which analysed responses from more than 100 organisations in the US, from a wide range of industries, including financial services, manufacturing, health care, and non-profits, considers leadership as a critical factor of success for green initiatives at the workplace.
The report found that 80 per cent of employers with green programmes include the CEO in development and communications while 86 per cent of respondents appointed a dedicated leader for their green efforts.
Among employers that provide incentives to encourage green behaviours, 31 per cent provide special employee recognition, 24 per cent give prizes, and 9 per cent provide a monetary reward.
The research was conducted during the fourth quarter of 2009, and examines the types of green processes, policies, and programs employers are using to manage environmental and operational issues.
Image: Greenpeace activists. | Photograph: Reuters
