Green benefits could be the new weapon in the war for talent, according to a survey on benefit choices.

Of the 1,000 employees polled by Ceridian, 69 per cent thought it was important that their employer is environmentally responsible and 57 per cent wish their employers would do more.

Although only 14 per cent of employees overall would change jobs for a greener benefits package, that figure leaped to 32 per cent of those in the 16-24 age bracket. For retention purposes, 35 per cent of all those surveyed felt that receiving greener benefits would make them more loyal to their employer.

The top three most attractive ‘green’ benefits are:

• Incentives to move to sustainable electricity/energy (67 per cent)




• Access to discounts on ‘green’ trade recycled products (65 per cent)




• Discounts on public transport (59 per cent).

But tax-efficient bicycle purchasing or loan schemes were considered much less attractive!

Only ten per cent of the employees surveyed benefited from a company car and, of these, 53 per cent would be interested in the subsidised provision of a ‘greener’ company car but only 36 per cent in the opportunity to offset their carbon emissions from a company car.

Doug Sawers, managing director of Ceridian in the UK said: “People today recognise they need to do more to ensure the long-term survival of our planet and employees appear to be keen to do their bit when backed by like-minded employers.

“Reflecting green credentials in benefits packages is a way for employers to differentiate themselves, particularly when targeting new entrants to the labour market.”