The environment can be used as an important recruitment and retention tool, particularly for younger workers, according to the latest quarterly CIPD/KPMG Labour Market Outlook survey.

The research found that potential recruits would prefer to join an organisation with a strong environmental policy, while 39% of employers claim that an environmental policy is more important to younger workers. 

Gerwyn Davies, co-author of the Labour Market Outlook report, says: “Reputation and employer brand have risen to the forefront of the HR agenda. Employers recognise that to be attractive in the talent marketplace, they need to consider how potential employees will view their environmental and ethical record.  Employers will therefore need to set an example on the environment to become an employer of choice.”

The report also finds that 44% of UK organisations have an environmental policy in place, a figure which is set to rise to 70% in the next 12 months.