With more and more people graduating from college every year, the pool of potential employees is growing at a breakneck pace. Not surprisingly, these new additions to the workforce have very different values than those that arrived on the scene some 20 years ago. More and more, potential employees are looking to work for companies whose views are aligned with their own.

Given that environmental issues top the list of concerns for generation Y, it makes sense that businesses should consider going green as a way to become more attractive to potential employees. According to the Harris poll, "33 percent of Americans would be more inclined to work for a green company compared to an organization that does not make conscious efforts to promote socially and environmentally friendly practices."

Aside from drawing in new employees, going green can also breed company loyalty. Today’s employee is looking to contribute to something they can be proud of, and to be a part of a company that they can feel good about. Incorporating environmental sustainability into the workplace is not only a good way to bring in new employees, but an excellent way to keep them!

New hires are not the only employees looking for more eco-awareness in the workplace. According to a poll by Mortgage Lenders Network USA (MLN), 94 percent of employed Americans prefer to work in a building that is designed to be energy efficient and ecologically sound.

Because job satisfaction greatly affects productivity, businesses tend to take into consideration the desires of their employees. Oftentimes, it takes only one major business implementing a new green technology to get many others to fall into line. Because no one likes to fall behind in the world of business, ‘keepin up with the joneses’ may actually work in the Earth’s favor on this one.

The fact the green building has experienced a growth in popularity is reflected in the 2006 figures from the U.S. Green Building Council (GBC). The GBC has seen its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certifications for newly constructed green buildings jump in the past 3 years by 150 percent, from 167 to 417. If this trend continues, more and more business will feel the pressure to build in a more eco-friendly fashion.

The increase of eco-minded employees can also be seen to benefit consumers. By using environmental sustainability to gain an edge in employment appeal, companies have the obligation to live up to their claims. While customers may not always know what goes on behind the scenes, employees see it first-hand. Employees hired under the pretense of working in for an eco-friendly company will not take kindly to waste and overconsumption. Moreover, eco-employees can be seen as a good resource for new ideas about ways to make their workplace more sustainable.

While the reasons to be a greener business are nearly innumerable, companies can now add ’strengthening the employment base’ to the list. Because Americans are looking to work for greener companies and in greener work environments, the motivations for businesses to become more environmentally conscious are now imperative to the bottom line.