Insights

Does your company have an environmental policy? Over two thirds of employees don’t know about theirs

64% per cent of European businesses have a sustainability policy in place but only a third of employees know about the impact it’s making on the environment. One in five also confess they actually do not know whether their company has a sustainability policy at all. These are findings from a new employee survey by Treedom, the world’s first digital platform for growing and gifting trees online. Here, Federico Garcea, Founder and CEO at Treedom offers some insight for employers who wish to raise the profile of the environmental policy within their organisation.

The Treedom survey is part of a campaign we are driving across six European countries between Earth Day and World Environment Day. The goal is to grow 20,000 trees in a dedicated forest with the help of Treedom’s Community. The survey of 7,000 workers across Europe found that whilst business decision makers understand the need to implement sustainability policies and communicate with key stakeholders, employees are less aware of what action is actually being taken – fewer than a third of employees know about their company’s policy. But there is a clear desire to know more as 64% want to learn about policies, rising to 70% amongst Gen-Z. The importance of ensuring the workforce understands such policies, is paramount from a recruitment and retention perspective. 67% of employees agree that sustainability is an important factor when choosing which job role to apply for, particularly Italians with 86% saying it impacts their decision making. So, what are the key sustainability drivers for employees when choosing a company to work for? 1. Employees want to be proud of the company they work for (29%) 2. Ensuring the planet is being protected for future generations (29%) 3. Makes a positive impact on the environment (24%)

Which industries are the most sustainably minded?

In an age where consumers are looking to governments to take the lead on achieving net zero goals, it is surprising to note that one in three of those working within governments are not aware of their sustainability policy, and 37% don’t deem it important to know, according to Treedom’s research. Similarly, those working in education, helping to nurture the minds of tomorrow are also not in the ‘know’ when it comes to their own corporate sustainability. For those working in marketing, 81% agreed how vital green initiatives are for businesses and three quarters of these workers are up to speed on their own company policies. This inherent knowledge on sustainability is clearly a need for external communications, as industry professionals know the positive impact it can have on not only company perception, but employee satisfaction.

What do employees want to see in a sustainable business policy?

For Europeans, the top three sustainability initiatives they want employers to consider include: • Prevent and decrease environmental impact (51%) • Ensuring constant improvements (38%) • Social impact - giving back to communities (28%) Ultimately, a policy needs to demonstrate a positive impact that is able to clearly communicate to workers clear goals, actions and results. There is a gap in knowledge and understanding between the decision makers who create sustainability policies and those who are the boots on the ground in the business. Employees need to be engaged in the sustainability journey to make a lasting positive impact as well as to remain competitive as a business by attracting the best talent.

Defibrillators in the Workplace: Tips and advice for employers

World Heart Rhythm Week, which ran in early June aims to raise awareness and educate the public and professionals about arrhythmias. Here, Karl Bantleman, Head of Digital at Direct365 has compiled a list of questions and answers for employers’ typical questions surrounding defibrillators in the workplace.

Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are becoming a common sight in most public places and within the workplace. They have increasingly been in the news and recently the Premier League announced a donation of more than 2,000 defibrillators to grassroots football after Christian Eriksen’s cardiac arrest on the pitch last year. According to the British Heart Foundation, 30,000 people each year suffer a cardiac arrest outside of hospital. Survival rates are shown to be 50-70% higher in these victims when a defibrillator is used within 5 minutes of collapse.

What is a Defibrillator?

A defibrillator (also referred to as defib) is a small electrical device that provides a controlled shock to the heart, in the event of a life-threatening arrhythmia called ventricular fibrillation. The most common type of defibrillator is the AED (an automated external defibrillator).

Are defibrillators a legal requirement for businesses in the UK?

There are no laws in the UK that require employers to provide defibrillators to their employees. However, the British Heart Foundation, and the Resuscitation Council UK all advocate for the use of defibrillators in the workplace to save lives.

How long do defibrillators last?

Defibrillators have replaceable parts. It is just the batteries and electrode packs that need replacing. Each defibrillator model comes with a stand-by life while it isn’t in use. This ranges between 2-5 years while the unit isn’t in direct use. This doesn’t mean the defibrillator needs replacing, this only means that replacement parts are required.

How often should a defibrillator be checked?

Defibrillators should be frequently checked for power and wear and tear. For battery power, most defibrillators will have a built-in checking system, which alerts the owner as to whether they need to replace the battery. This will be a noise or LED light. Other than this, you should manually check your defib every few weeks.

How much does a defibrillator cost in the UK?

Defibrillator costs vary drastically. There are several options with different types of features. For example, the defibrillators with video screen for instructions are likely to be more expensive than their audio counterparts.

Do I need to train staff on how to use one?

When it comes to training staff on how to use a defib, it’s hard to train people on how they are going to feel and react when placed into a real world scenario of having to use it on someone when required. That being said, the defibs are split into automatic and semiautomatic, for both types the user will take the pads and place them on the patient. Semi autos find the rhythm and will ask the user to push a button if required where as the fully auto will automatically administer the shock. Business owners are making the decision to bring lifesaving defibrillator devices into their workplace. While there is no law around workplaces having a defibrillator just yet if a workplace is a populated area, then there should be always be an AED nearby and accessible. Now it’s even easier for people to access training to use these devices as they’re usually included in typical workplace first-aid training courses. Our advice would be to prepare your business, save a life, get a defibrillator.

Unlimited Vacation – Is it the grand holiday we want it to be?

It’s well known that employers are determined to keep their best and brightest employees, particularly those who work the hardest and contribute the most. With 24/7 connectivity nearly everywhere globally, finding time away from the demands of a stressful job are becoming more and more difficult. It is often a challenge for those in the highest demand to get a decent amount of time off to rest and recuperate properly – both physically and mentally – never more so than in the world of financial services. Here, Kiki Stannard, MD at ZEDRA looks at the implications for employers who implement this ambitious policy.

It may have come as a surprise to many to read that internationally renowned investment bank, Goldman Sachs, announced that senior staff are being moved to a ‘flexible vacation’ policy which will permit time off when needed and not adhering to fixed maximum days per annum. Having been hailed as progressive for the industry and designed to encourage a decent amount of time off to support health and wellbeing (there will be a minimum level of time off for junior staff which aligns with the statutory requirement in any event), will there really be any change in culture or attitude at Goldman Sachs – often viewed as fiercely competitive? In the US, the tech sector has actually been offering unlimited vacation for many years, which might sound like a significant benefit where vacation is around ten days plus public holidays. The reality however can be quite different. • The unlimited vacation is only on the basis that the employee’s work is done, or the break will not disrupt the business, often leading to employees logging on regularly whilst they are away • Confusion can arise around the use of the policy and different interpretations as to exactly what amount is acceptable as ‘unlimited’ according to who your line manager happens to be • There can be an inclination to cancel a day’s leave when something urgent comes up at work • Blurring of the lines can be seen where there is a performance issue requiring careful management or additional employee support • Does unlimited vacation just mask real sick days? • Does unlimited vacation result in a duvet day for anyone who is just not that motivated? • How can you shake that Monday morning feeling when you know that not turning up today is ok? Unlimited holidays can work for some businesses and sectors, but this type of policy won’t work for every company. In today’s environment it might act as a great benefit to entice new, often younger, starters to join a company. It’s always important to engage with staff and key stakeholders to get a better idea of the appetite for such a policy before committing and if there is desire, prepare thoroughly to avoid any negative ramifications to individual staff and company morale.

Employers are underestimating personal safety fears of nearly 7 million workers

Britain’s workforce is our most valuable asset, and it has faced up to considerable challenges throughout the pandemic while continuing to deliver fantastic services. A landmark study into perceptions of personal safety at work found 6.8 million workers worry about their safety each week, while the majority of employers underestimate the level of concern. Here, Naz Dossa from Peoplesafe is calling on employers and government to work together to achieve a step change in how workers are being protected.

The study, conducted on behalf of employee safety experts Peoplesafe, found that one in five of all employees worry about their safety at least once a week and that negative experiences involving safety issues can often contribute to decisions to leave their jobs. Policy makers and businesses across the UK are facing a recruitment and retention challenge in front line roles. Although the study found that many businesses want to do more to protect their employees, many struggle to know how they can help. The new report, published by Peoplesafe, explores this issue of workplace safety and presents solutions for how employers and Government can work together to address these challenges. The report recommends that in order to better protect employees, regulators must give clearer guidance and Government should work with all parties to set out a standard of protection that employees can easily understand and access. Lower cost security measures now exist and can be better tailored to a wider array of employees. The most effective are personal safety alarms that provide a strong level of protection, can support the prevention of incidents, and critically manage issues. Where CCTV systems may cost thousands of pounds, some personal safety alarms are now the price of a cup of coffee for near instant access to the police. There is a clear, tangible benefit to recruitment and perceptions of roles if prospective employees are offered technology, and in particular, personal safety solutions. Despite this, we are facing a cross-industry problem that few have come to terms with. It’s clear that safety concerns are real for millions of employees in all types of roles, and that employers underestimate their concerns, and feel it is hard to know what they can do to protect their employees. We need to shift the dial on the importance of employee personal safety. By supporting businesses to act in the best way possible, and by giving employees greater peace of mind through recognised standards, we can make a genuine difference. We’re calling on employers and government to work together to achieve a step change in how workers are being protected. Results of the study include: • Nearly 7 million workers worry about their safety each week • 57% of employers underestimate the level of concern felt by their staff • 57% of employees are concerned about facing aggression from the public • 22% of former lone workers and front-line staff said safety concerns were among the reasons they chose to leave their job • One in four people do not want to take a role that involves face-to-face contact with the public, with 62% citing safety concerns among the reasons for that.