Your guide to sustainable workplaces in the Energy sector

As a new generation of workers ages into the workforce, gen Z employees are placing more of a focus than ever before on CRS values. The younger generation of talent wants more from their workplaces, and companies that fail to act risk losing out. 

However, this is an issue affecting all areas of recruitment. In fact, when interviewed in Workday's recent report, 50% of employees said that an organisation's environmental and social governance (ESG) commitments were crucial for keeping them engaged, and employees at purpose-driven organisations reported being 3x more likely to stay. 

Workday's recent heartbeat report on employees' expectations in 2022 stated: 

"In addition to attracting and retaining top talent, there are a number of organisational benefits that come from taking ESG commitments seriously, including a stronger brand proposition, lower operating costs, fewer regulatory hurdles, and higher returns on investment." 

Why is sustainability in the workplace important?

Sustainable workplaces must seek to use resources that have as little impact as possible on the earth and employees' health. There are many benefits to office design that promote sustainability and cause a positive impact, including reducing waste, improving employee satisfaction, and creating a friendly and productive place to work. 

But what aspects of design are indispensable for a more sustainable workplace? Sodexo's Energy and Resources has put together an essential guide for building offices that are reflective of employee happiness as well as key sustainable practices.

1. Design using sustainable materials. 

Making an effort to use materials made from recycled content or which can be easily recycled at the end of their life is essential - because breaking the chain and looking for sustainable solutions can help dramatically reduce the amount of CO₂ produced by the industry. 

For instance, every year in the UK, 400,000 tonnes of carpet tiles are put into landfill, often because they are difficult to recycle. In a recent refurbishment we completed for Ithaca's Aberdeen offices, the selected carpet tiles were made from a bio-composite and had a net carbon-negative backing. The manufacturer also agreed to take back the product at the end of its life so it could be recycled entirely. Producing a non-recycled carpet tile can be up to 53kg of carbon released per sqm, so opting for a low-carbon option significantly lowered the carbon impact across the building. 

2. Reuse, reuse, reuse.

The circular economy is a system of consumption which looks at repairing and recycling existing materials and products for as long as possible. Integrate this model into office design by looking at existing materials and seeing how they can be used again. For Ithaca’s refurbishment, filing cabinets were reupholstered rather than thrown away to minimise impact. 

3. Flexibility saves space as well as costs.

Having office space that can flex for many uses is central to today's hybrid model of working and can leave your workplaces optimised while covering a smaller area. That translates to having open-plan areas, hot desks, fewer individual meeting rooms, and furniture that can be easily moved and adapted to suit any need. Space saving equates to a reduction in energy usage that is great for costs and the planet. 

4. Employee wellness is key.

Natural light has been shown to improve employee efficiency and productivity, so access to the outdoors and natural light is crucial for redesigning office spaces. Consider lighting options that improve energy consumption, costs, CO2 levels, and employee wellbeing. 

"In our recent redesign of Ithaca's Office in Aberdeen, the workplace previously felt quite dark. I prioritised rearranging the space, so desks struggling for natural light now had a visual connection to the outdoors." Claire Ritchie, Sodexo Architect 

5. Maintain your workplaces

A good maintenance strategy keeps spaces in working order for longer, making them more sustainable. Maintaining offices helps companies be more efficient about the resources they use, while great facilities management can preserve and extend a workplace's life. Companies can achieve value and long-term sustainability by taking a proactive approach to maintenance. 

6. Sustainability Boosts Company Image 

The movement towards sustainability often promotes and encourages creativity, making it a key factor for innovation. Sustainable workplaces protect both the environment and workers’ health. With so many employees ranking an organisation's ESG commitments highly for keeping them engaged, companies need to prioritise sustainable offices more than ever before. Are you boosting employee wellbeing with environmentally conscious workplaces? 

Get in touch to find out more about our office redesign services.