A recent report reveals that over a third of small business workers pay less attention to energy consumption in the workplace because they’re not responsible for paying for it.
The study by Smart Energy GB, found nearly half admit being too engrossed in their work tasks to think about saving energy, with the majority unaware of how much it costs their employer on a monthly basis.
The poll surveyed 1,000 small business employees, discovering that half habitually leave devices on standby or keep unneeded equipment plugged in, and even print unnecessary documents.
It also showed that 48% overfill the kettle, 38% forget to turn off lights in unused rooms, and close to 20% leave doors open when heating or aircon is running.
Furthermore, the study found 12% of employees have taken showers at work to avoid using hot water at home and save on their own bills.
“Employees are more mindful of energy use at home but, understandably, at work, they have their mind on other things,” said Victoria Bacon, a director at Smart Energy GB.
Can you spot these office energy wasters?
She suggests there is an opportunity for small businesses to engage staff in energy management, encouraging energy-saving habits within the workplace.
“One small thing owners can do is to get a smart meter installed,” she suggested. “The data they provide can help businesses monitor their usage and identify where they can make cost savings.”
A significant two thirds of employees expressed they would probably confront a colleague if they noticed them being wasteful. Victoria highlights this as encouraging as it can help aid companies in monitoring their energy consumption.
“Being mindful of waste, and even making small changes, could save money on their employers’ energy bills and reduce their impact on the environment.”
TOP 10 ENERGY WASTES AT WORK:
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