SHRM Poll January 7, 2009

January 7, 2009

SHRM Poll: Green Initiatives, What Has Changed in One Year?

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Green Workplace - Definition

For the purpose of this survey a green workplace is defined as a workplace that is environmentally sensitive, resource efficient and socially responsible.

3©SHRM 2009 SHRM Poll January 7, 2009

Does your organization have a formal or an informal environmentally responsible policy?

22%

28%

7%

43%

20%

31%

14%

35%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

Yes, we have a formalpolicy

Yes, we have an informalpolicy

No, we do not have aformal or informal policy

but we plan to in the next12 months

No, we do not have a policyand we do not plan to

2008 (n = 391) 2009 (n = 349)

Note: Respondents who answered “Not sure” were excluded from the analysis.

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Please indicate the practices your organization currently has in place (e.g., activities/programs) that could be considered environmentally responsible?

Top 10 Environmentally Responsible Practices 2008(n=195)

2009(n=180)

Offering recycling program for office products (e.g., paper, Styrofoam, plastic, glass, cans) 83% 88%

Encouraging employees to work more environmentally friendly (e.g., by making more double-sided photocopies, powering down computers after few minutes of inactivity, using energy-efficient bulbs for desk lamps, ensuring blinds are lowered in the summer to conserve energy)

83% 84%

Using energy efficient lighting systems and equipment (e.g., occupancy sensors, ENERGY STAR® equipment, changing from desktops to laptops)

66% 73%

Donating/discounting used office furniture/supplies to employees or local charity (e.g., set up a re–use area where employees can take unneeded supplies/materials rather than throwing them away and encourage staff to "shop" there)

73% 71%

Installing automatic shutoff for equipment 63% 65%

Minimizing water consumption by using water-conserving plumbing fixtures (e.g., using faucet aerators, low flow toilets)

49% 65%

Buying or leasing refurbished goods (e.g., refurbished toner cartridges; copiers, printers, fax machines, retread tires, re-refined oil)

59% 63%

Promoting walking, biking, taking public transit 59% 63%

Partnering with environmentally-friendly suppliers/companies 55% 59%

Encouraging/promoting/providing car pooling for employees 35% 59%

Note: Percentages do not total 100% due to multiple response options. Data sorted in descending order by 2009 column.

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Which of the following does your organization do to demonstrate (to board, employees, public, etc.) its commitment to environmental responsibility?

5%

15%

25%

37%

45%

74%

10%

10%

23%

38%

40%

63%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

Other

Organization issues a report dedicated exclusively toenvironmental responsibility

Environmentally responsible efforts are covered in theorganization’s annual report

Environmental responsibility commitment is included in theorganization’s mission/vision

Environmental responsibility is part of the organization’s statedgoals

Environmentally responsible efforts are included in theorganization’s newsletters/other publications

2009 (n = 131) 2008 (n = 116)

Note: Percentages do not total 100% due to multiple response options.

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In general, what do you think are the main drivers of environmentally responsible programs for organizations?

2008

(n=333)

2009

(n=287)

Contribution to society (i.e., good corporate citizenship, ethical considerations)

69% 64%

Environmental considerations 53% 55%

Economic considerations (i.e., saving money on operating costs)

46% 53%

Health and safety considerations 34% 30%

Employee activism 24% 25%

Competitive advantage 15% 17%

Public relations strategy 23% 16%

Consumer activism/grassroots pressure 16% 14%

Local/Federal regulations 18% 11%

Local/Federal incentives 11% 7%

Local/Federal proactive initiatives 5% 4%

Shareholder activism 3% 2%

Market share improvement 4% 1%

Note: Data sorted in descending order by 2009 column. Percentages do not total 100% due to multiple response options. Respondents were asked to select their top three choices.

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In general, what do you think are the main barriers of environmentally responsible programs for organizations?

2008 (n=333)

2009 (n=287)

Cost of implementing programs 85% 90%

Cost of maintaining programs 74% 84%

Lack of support by management 43% 35%

Lack of support by employees 25% 32%

Concerns about workplace inefficiency 20% 26%

Lack of governmental support 16% 14%

Concern organization will be held at a higher standard than competitors if there are lapses in organization’s stated values

5% 7%

Note: Data sorted in descending order by 2009 column. Percentages do not total 100% due to multiple response options. Respondents were asked to select their top three choices.

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Which of the following has your organization achieved as positive outcomes of your environmentally responsible program?

2008 (n=133)

2009 (n=173)

Improved employee morale 44% 46%

Stronger public image 42% 41%

Positive financial bottom line as a result of your organization’s environmentally responsible program

19% 22%

Position as an employer of choice 14% 21%

Increased consumer/customer confidence/choice 20% 20%

Increased employee loyalty 16% 16%

Increased brand recognition 16% 15%

Gained a competitive advantage 13% 12%

Increased workforce productivity 6% 12%

Increased recruitment of employees 3% 7%

Increased employee retention 4% 5%

Note: Data sorted in descending order by 2009 column. Percentages do not total 100% due to multiple response options. Respondents were asked to select their top three choices.

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Demographics

Organization Staff Size(n = 359)

Small organization (1-99 employees)

27%

Medium organization (100-499 employees)

29%

Large organization (500 or more employees)

44%

Organization Industry cont’dArts, Entertainment, Recreation 2%

Association – Professional, Trade 2%

Biotech 1%

Publishing, Broadcasting, Other Media 1%

Utilities 1%

Telecommunications 1%

Organization Industry (n=282)

Manufacturing 16%

Services – Professional, Scientific, Technical, Legal, Eng

12%

Health Care 9%

Government/Public Administration 7%

Construction/Mining 6%

Financial Services 6%

Other services 6%

Consulting 5%

Educational Services 5%

Retail/Wholesale Trade 5%

Transportation/Warehousing 4%

High-Tech 3%

Insurance 3%

Real Estate, Rental, Leasing 3%

Services- Accommodation, Food & Drink places

2%

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SHRM Poll: Green Initiative, what has changed in one year?

• Response rate = 14%• Sample comprised of 368 randomly selected

HR professionals from SHRM’s membership.

• Margin of error is +/- 5%.• Survey fielded the week of January 5, 2009

Methodology