Only 33 per cent of the UK’s smallest businesses have considered implementing sustainable benefits a high priority, compared to 53 per cent of all companies, according to Zest.
According to the research, there is a growing desire for long-term benefits among employees, with 44 per cent of HR leaders reporting an increase in requests over the last year. But just 35 per cent of HR leaders in small businesses (10-49 people) have reported this tendency.
Over half or 53 per cent of businesses reported an increase in employee concern about sustainability, while 52 per cent have increased the number of sustainable benefits offered. Additionally, sustainable benefits are now a top priority for 29 per cent of HR executives.
Although 45 per cent of firms are now more aware of the environmental impact of pension schemes, only 31 per cent of small enterprises have recognised this trend. Only 25 per cent of small businesses prioritise sustainability, against 34 per cent of all UK businesses.
Only 21 per cent of small businesses see sustainable advantages as key to achieving green targets, compared to 32 per cent of all businesses. Furthermore, 24 per cent of small businesses believe sustainable employee benefits are a “temporary trend”, higher than the 18 per cent UK average.
According to the research, prioritising long-term benefits can enhance morale (32 per cent), and attract and retain employees (32 per cent), but 18 per cent of HR leaders admit their organisations have lost talent due to a lack of these benefits.
Zest CEO Matt Russell says: “With employees more focused on sustainability than ever before, organisations need to ensure they are boosting their sustainability efforts including within the benefits on offer.
“Given the strong link with business performance, those who aren’t investing in sustainability risk losing ground to competitors and reducing profitability. It’s already a hugely challenging time for leaders to operate SMEs, the last thing they need is to lose key talent and see productivity decline by ignoring their sustainable impact.”