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Something many people look for in an employer is an understanding of the importance of sustainability. Younger candidates, in particular, value environmentally friendly organisations. And there’s an expectation for charities to take a lead on this—whatever their cause, climate-focused or otherwise.
In a competitive recruitment market, highlighting your green credentials can help you attract the very best talent. Here are a few ways your charity can be eco-friendly.
1. Assess your benefits package
Transport is the single biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the UK. So provide incentives for staff to take the train, bus, cycle or walk rather than driving. Look at things like subsidised ticket loans, carpool and cycle-to-work schemes. And lead from the top—cut back on unnecessary air travel and encourage remote working where possible.
Pension schemes can also be made greener, benefitting both candidates and the planet. You could even consider offering a day’s leave per year for employees to volunteer for their favourite green project.
2. Invest in your workspace
Don’t have the funds to invest in an eco-friendlier office building? There are still many energy-saving measures you can take with your existing workplace. Put in improved insulation or double-glazed windows. Switch to an sustainable energy provider like Octopus, Ovo or Ecotricity. And save power by using motion-activated and LED lighting.
Think about the impact of your facilities too—there’s lots you can do here. Providing recycling bins and reusable cups, plates and water bottles are good, basic first steps. But are your cleaning products eco-friendly? Could your toilets be more efficient to reduce wasting water? Could your office go paperless?
3. Review your suppliers
From the software you use to the hardware in your office, there are many ways to make more sustainable choices. Partnering with suppliers and businesses that prioritise the environment enhances your own efforts to be an eco-friendly charity. For example, HP offers reusable printer ink cartridges and a recycling programme to help customers cut back on waste.
Draw up sustainability criteria for purchasing managers to follow when sourcing goods and services. 40% of plastic waste comes from packaging. If your charity raises funds by selling products, avoid packaging wherever possible, and use compostable if necessary.
4. Bring your colleagues with you
For employee retention, it’s important to keep momentum and motivation up among your staff. Share ideas large and small, and publicise what you’re doing across the organisation. And encourage people who are passionate about sustainability issues to get involved directly. Being able to take an active role as part of their work can be a real selling point for applicants.
Setting up a sustainability team, with representatives from all areas of the organisation, is a great way to build enthusiasm and encourage new ideas. Give them the time and authority to research and decide which areas will have the most impact. Get your leadership board involved in the larger-scale decision making.
5. Promote your sustainability efforts (without greenwashing)
If you want to attract candidates that care, you need to show the world you do too. Sustainability is something you can’t fake—candidates, staff and service users will see through ‘greenwashing.’ (This is where an organisation makes it sound like they’re doing more for the environment than they actually are.)
Make sure your green values are thoughtful, authentic and clearly stated on your website. Highlight them on your ‘About Us’ page, careers pages and in blogs or on social media, giving real examples. Committing to becoming a net zero charity by a set date is one way of showing you’re serious about the importance of sustainability.
These are just a few small ways to become a more eco-friendly charity. But starting small can lead to a big change. The more charities that do it, the more impact we’ll have. And it’s another feather in your cap for recruitment success!
Have a vacancy to fill? Post a job now.
This post was originally published in 2022. We’ve updated it to ensure relevance and to reflect the current recruitment landscape.
Tags: attracting the right candidates, charity recruitment, charity sector recruitment, finding the right people, hiring the right people, running your charity, staff retention
