Force bosses to go green say Aussie workers

Stephen Withers
Monday, 25 August 2008 11:17

Science - Energy

Australian companies are not thinking about the environment, according to a new survey. More than half of Australian employees say environmental issues are not on the agenda at their workplaces, and one third say legislation would the most effective way of making businesses become environmentally responsible.

These are among the findings of a survey of nearly 1800 employees by online career network LinkMe.

58.7 percent of employees said environmental issues are never discussed at their companies, and 34.7 percent said a legal obligation to meet green standards would be the single most effective way to force businesses to become more responsible.

But many voted for carrots rather than sticks.

31.9 percent recommended free visits from green consultants to advise on appropriate measures, 25.6 percent advocated government grants, and 23 percent suggested tax cuts in return for lowering greenhouse has emissions.

"Environmental awareness is on the up but many businesses are yet to actually implement the simplest of green policies throughout their businesses," said LinkMe CEO Campbell Sallabank.

"The overwhelming consensus is that business will only be held accountable for the impact they make on the environmental future of Australia if legally bound to do so."

Other recent surveys carried out by LinkMe found that workers under the age of 27 are not considered to have market knowledge or strong business skills, and that one-third of employees are left out of pocket after paying work expenses (often as a result of slow reimbursement by employers leading to credit card interest charges - been there, got the t-shirt).