Vegansim in the Workplace
Why should employers promote a plant-based diet in the workplace?
Lifestyle Trends
According to Waitrose & Partner’s Food & Drink Report 21-22, ‘Climatarianism’, "a diet focused on reducing your carbon footprint, is gaining popularity, with consumers more conscious than ever before of their impact on their environment,” pointed out Hazan. "Following last year’s Veganuary initiative, 82% of participants maintained a dramatic reduction in their animal product consumption, with 40% of those who had participated planning on staying vegan full time."
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Slightly more than a third (34 per cent) of U.K. adults said they’re either interested in trying or plan to try a vegan/plant-based diet, according to a recent survey by YouGov.
Sustainability
Having a sustainability-oriented mission statement that is misaligned with the organisation’s actual activities is more damaging to its reputation than not having one at all.
A 2018 study by the University of Oxford suggested cutting out meat and dairy products is the “single biggest way” an individual can reduce their environmental impact - reducing their carbon footprint from food by up to 73%.
Recruitment
To attract the best young talent into your workplace you need to understand the trends.
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2021 Lunch & UK Workers Survey asked employees from 133 companies in the UK about their eating habits during work hours:
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One in eight employees would support their company in becoming ‘meat-free’.
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For employees under 25 years of age, this figure rises to one in four.
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UK companies are not being inclusive enough for those with alternative dietary choices — 40% of employees want their company to provide more vegetarian or vegan food options.
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Two in five employees would like their company to offer a lunch scheme that promotes healthy eating across the entire workforce. People also placed high importance on healthy snack options for the office.
“Companies in the UK should be embracing more vegan-friendly offices because it can help with recruitment and retention of staff. Promoting a vegan-friendly office can help attract candidates for recruitment purposes and it’s also a good way to demonstrate the type of culture you have in your business, i.e. a culture that is more open, welcoming, inclusive and environmentally conscious around sustainability.”
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