Employers urged to give more guidance on green issues

Employers could do more to inform staff about simple ways to improve environmental performance at work, according to new research.

Only 17% of UK employees have received advice or training at work on energy efficiency and fewer than a quarter (24%) have been given information on recycling and waste management. The findings are from a poll of more than 1,000 working people by NEBOSH.

Teresa Budworth, NEBOSH Chief Executive, commented:

"Encouraging staff to turn off lights and equipment when they're not needed, or organising waste for recycling are simple environmental measures that every employer can introduce. However, it's clear from our research that only a small proportion of workplaces in Britain offer information, advice or training on these issues."

Just one in ten UK workers (11%) said they had received information, guidance or training at work on ways of looking after the environment.

People in Scotland were most likely to have received information, guidance or training from their employer on recycling (28%), while people in the North of England were least likely (19%). One in five (19%) male workers had received information, guidance or training on energy efficiency compared to one in seven (14%) female workers.

Young workers, those aged between 18 and 24 years, were most likely to have received advice at work on ways of looking after the environment (16%). Those aged between 45 and 54 years were least likely (9%).

Budworth added:

"Simply involving staff can be a great way of improving environmental performance in the workplace. Most people are keen to do their bit. Often they just need a little bit of information and some encouragement to participate."