Employees want more sustainability in the workplace
2 January 2025
Sustainability ranks high on employees’ agendas. This is evident from the annual New Year’s Survey by pension provider BeFrank. Nearly half of employees (45%) consider it important for their organisation to be sustainable and 43% want their employer to prioritise sustainable initiatives more in the next five years.
BeFrank has conducted its New Year’s Survey among over a thousand Dutch workers aged 25 and older for the 8th time’. The survey offers an up-to-date picture of trends, wishes and sentiments among employees regarding work and income.
Sustainability as a work motivator
The figures show that sustainable initiatives are not only beneficial for the environment but also positively impact the work experience. Over a third (32%) of employees state that their employer’s sustainable actions enhance their job satisfaction. Moreover, nearly half (49%) believe that sustainability will be financially advantageous for their organisation in the long term. Jan Hein Rhebergen, managing director of BeFrank, commented: “This survey highlights that sustainability is not just a social responsibility but also has a direct impact on the workplace. It’s an opportunity for employers to involve employees in sustainable initiatives and support them in their personal sustainability goals. We see that our own employees are deeply committed to contributing to these efforts.”
Active employee engagement
Many employees are already taking steps to make their workplaces more sustainable. Nearly half (45%) separate waste and 43% reduce the use of disposable plastics. However, 27% admit to not currently doing anything to improve sustainability in their workplace, indicating room for improvement and employer support. Rhebergen:“Let’s work together to set the course for a more sustainable future. After all, the corporate sector’s efforts are essential to achieving climate goals. Since last year, we’ve been proud to call ourselves a B Corp. Achieving certification requires meeting high standards in governance, employee policies, environmental impact, community engagement and customer focus. We strongly believe that as a company you also have to contribute to a better world and hope to inspire other companies this way.”
Sustainable pensions remain important
Sustainability is also playing an increasingly significant role in pension awareness. Nearly half (47%) of employees value sustainable terms of employment, and three in ten expect their pension capital to be invested sustainably. Additionally, 45% of respondents say they consider pension terms when negotiating salaries for a new job. “Pensions are a crucial employment benefit, involving significant sums of money. It’s encouraging to see this gaining more attention. We believe everyone should have a choice in how sustainably their pension is accrued. After all, it’s your future,” Rhebergen concluded.
Key figures on sustainability
- 45% of employees consider sustainability important within their organisation.
- 43% want their employer to prioritise sustainable initiatives more.
- 32% say their employer’s sustainability efforts boost job satisfaction.
- 47% value sustainable terms of employment.
- 30% expect their pension capital to be managed sustainably.
General figures from the report
In general, over two-thirds (72%) consider it important for their work to be meaningful and to add value to society. For the coming year, 29% of employees do not plan to switch jobs. If they were to look for a new job, the three main reasons would be: a higher salary (39%), a new challenge (26%) and less stress and/or workload (24%). To increase job satisfaction with their current employer, one in five employees intends to complain less in 2025 (19%) and show more of their authentic selves (also 19%).
Top 5 work-related New Year’s resolutions for 2025
In addition to the desire for more sustainability in the workplace and from employers, here are the top 5 work-related resolutions:
- Finding a better work-life balance
- Taking a course, training or educational programme through work
- Living healthier at work (e.g., taking the stairs more often, cutting down on snacks, having healthier lunches)
- Asking for a raise
- Making more time for social connections outside of work
About the survey
On behalf of BeFrank, Panelwizard conducted a survey in December 2024 among 1,060 Dutch employees aged 25 and older, working in paid employment. The sample was representative by gender, age, labour participation, and education level.
About BeFrank
BeFrank has been active in the collective pension market since 2011 and was the first premium pension institution (PPI) in the Netherlands. BeFrank offers an online pension platform, clear communication and innovative services. It is part of the NN Group. Since April 2024, BeFrank has been certified as a B Corp.