Load the Praise if you Want Energy Saved

16 January 2014 | Updated 01 January 1970

New research from the Carbon Trust finds that 92% of workers are concerned about the cost of energy at home but only 47% are about the cost of energy for their employer.

One reason for that difference appears to be the fact that only 23% of employees have been asked to help save energy at work by their manager with only 13% stating that they are rewarded by their employers for saving energy.

Commenting on the figures, Richard Rugg, Managing Director of Programmes at the Carbon Trust, explained: “Employees are the greatest asset of UK business but when most of us enter the office, we take far less care to save energy and use resources efficiently than we do at home.

“The good news is that employees are willing to help and by understanding how employees act in the workplace businesses, can unlock significant bottom line savings.”

Rugg continued that behavioural psychology shows that just telling employees what to do is not enough. Employers need to understand what motivates or blocks, good behaviour to really unlock cost, waste and carbon savings. For example, using negative messages can lead to unpredictable results, including the potential for backlash.

”The survey shows that 60% of employees say they would be more likely to save energy at work if they were ‘praised’. In fact, praise was found to be almost as effective as money in motivating staff. 60% stated they were more likely to take action if financially rewarded, but 58% were more likely if to do it if their actions were recognised."

There is a significant gap between being willing to take action in principle and actually taking it. When it comes to regularly turning off lights in unoccupied rooms or areas, 96% are willing to do it but only 52% actually do. Also, 74% would replace a meeting with a video conversation, but only 17% are doing it.

The survey findings are included in a Carbon Trust report that provides guidance on how organisations can develop programmes to engage their employees to make green choices, alongside practical options to overcome common barriers.

Article written by Mike Gannon | Published 16 January 2014