Candidate
expectations

What are tech candidates expecting from the companies they work for when it comes to environmental sustainability, and are employers doing enough? We break it down.

Q5

candidates

To what extent do you agree with this statement?:
"Businesses have an obligation to minimise their environmental impact"

46%
strongly agree
36%
agree
2% strongly disagree
4% disagree
12% neutral

employers

To what extent do you agree with this statement?:
"My organisation has an obligation to minimise its environmental impact"

42%
agree
49%
strongly agree
7% neutral
1% strongly disagree
1% disagree

let's sum it up

82% of candidates agree / strongly agree that businesses have an obligation to minimise their environmental impact, but are these companies on the same page? Of the companies surveyed, 91% agree / strongly agree that their organisation has this obligation, however, while in agreement, are employers currently doing enough in this space and putting tangible sustainability plans and initiatives into action?

Q6

candidates

To what extent do you agree with this statement?:
"Businesses are currently doing enough in the way of environmental sustainability"

26%
neutral
42%
disagree
8% strongly disagree
5% strongly agree
19% Agree

employers

To what extent do you agree with this statement?:
"My company is currently doing enough in the way of environmental sustainability"

37%
agree
36%
neutral
16% strongly agree
2% strongly disagree
9% disagree

let's sum it up

It’s clear that candidates expect companies to prioritise environmental sustainability, however, 50% of candidates disagree / strongly disagree that companies are presently doing enough in this space. When asked the same question, the majority of companies cited that they feel they are doing enough, with 53% strongly agreeing / agreeing with this statement. When it comes to sustainable action, it’s clear that there is a disconnect between candidate and employer perceptions, so how can businesses bridge this gap? Is it a matter of clearer communication on sustainability plans and bringing candidates along for the journey, or is it maybe a case of implementing initiatives that have a more tangible impact on the environment? We explore what candidates are really thinking…

Q7

Please rank the following business priorities in order of importance to you

candidates

What environmental initiatives do you expect from the company you work for?

#1 Recycling
#2 Paper-free
#3 Alternate renewable energy
#4 Sustainable procurement
#5Pollution prevention
#6 Carbon neutral / net zero
#7 Zero landfill

employers

Which sustainability initiatives is your company currently delivering?

#1 Recycling
#2 Paper-free
#3 Sustainable procurement
#4 Carbon neutral / net zero
#5Alternate renewable energy
#6Pollution prevention
#7 Zero landfill

Q8

employers

Which sustainability initiatives is your company planning to deliver in future?

Carbon Neutral
41%
Paper-free
33%
Recycling
34%
Polution Prevention
32%
Zero Landfill
18%
Sustainable procurement
39%
Alternate renewable energy
33%
Unsure
31%

let's sum it up


The stats reveal that environmental sustainability is a non-negotiable for candidates when selecting a new company to work for, but what does that actually look like in practice? While candidates and companies are primarily aligned, there is the opportunity for employers to invest more greatly in alternate renewable energy as a key environmental sustainability initiative. Although companies are primarily working towards carbon neutral / net zero in the future, our findings also reveal that candidates are more interested in sustainable procurement and pollution prevention as a priority. Focusing company efforts on these initiatives is a good starting point when building out your sustainability plan.

what do candidates have to say?

As an employee, I want my employer to showcase what initiatives are in place to reach sustainability goals. Depending on the type of company initiatives will depend on the measures and successes. For example, if a company subsidises public transit for employees, the company can show the progress of the number of people month by month that are taking advantage of public transit over other forms of tranportation.
- candidate survey response

Depending on the area that the company operates in, it needs to give back to the environment what has been utilised for their daily operations. This can be in the form of planting trees, providing opportunities to minorities and specially abled employees to name a few.- candidate survey response

Get in touch!

Searching for a new role? We can connect you with employers that are putting sustainability first.

Thank you!Your submission has been received!
Oops!... Something went wrong, please try again

carry on reading here