Engage All Generations in Your Sustainability Programs

Corporate social and environmental initiatives are quickly moving from a nice to have to a must have. A recent study done by Cone Communications found that 51 percent of employees won’t even work for a company that isn’t committed to improving their social and environmental efforts.

While this further supports the business case for sustainability programming, getting your diverse workforce to participate can be a daunting task. In 2015 millennials became the largest cohort in the workforce, meaning, companies now have three distinct generations, personalities, and work ethics to cater to when it comes to their sustainability programming.

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Of course, the characteristics of each generation are generalizations, and not everyone in the generation will fit, but we’ve researched generational values, to help you build a more robust sustainable engagement program that most, if not all of your employees will love.

Baby boomers value hard work and being a team player

How to engage them: If you have a Green Team, invite baby boomers to join. If not, give them the opportunity to create their own. They will be flattered to have been chosen to participate in this elite group, enjoy the added responsibility and collaborative opportunities that being on this team will provide them. They will dedicate their time and effort into making your Green Team as successful as possible by planning and executing on programs, volunteer and event opportunities.

Generation X values individuality and a healthy work-life balance

How to engage them: These employees want options. Provide multiple, on-going volunteer opportunities to give your employees the freedom to choose when, where and what they want to participate in. This generation is interested in helping the environment and making an impact, but on their own time and when the opportunities support their personal values.

Millennials value making an impact and enjoy collaborative, social opportunities

How to engage them: Invite millennials to participate in your organization’s sustainable initiatives, and make it competitive. This will give millennials the opportunity to collaborate and connect with colleagues on different teams and allow them to build deeper connections with their teammates.

What types of sustainability programming has your organization implemented to address the diverse needs of your workforce?

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Engage All Generations in Your Sustainability Programs