Environmental initiatives can play well with customers. But do they matter for your staff? When RONA inc. got named as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers last month, we called the retailer to find out how the various initiatives RONA undertakes matter to their employees.
Especially since the company won for the fourth year in a row.
Canada’s Greenest Employers is organized by Mediacorp. Home Depot Canada and IKEA Canada were also on the list. The national competition celebrates employers who stand out for their sustainable development initiatives and environmental awareness efforts.
One of the measures in the competition is the participation and degree of involvement of employees in the company’s programs.
While proclamations and achievements such as this one play well with the media and even the shareholders, do they matter to customers? According to Mélanie Lussier, senior director, communications, public affairs, and sustainable development at RONA inc., the answer is a hard “yes.”
“Our employees are committed to making a difference, and we rely on their active and enthusiastic participation to carry out our projects,” she says. “For example, in 2022, RONA launched its brand-new ECO Squad in corporate stores, made up of employees who are motivated to play an active role in helping the organization achieve its environmental goals.”
Lussier says the green awareness and energy come from right down on the store floor. Staff gets behind these initiatives and make them happen.
“This recognition is mostly due to the excellent work and commitment of all our associates. They contribute to the achievement of our ambitious environmental goals and to the continuous improvement of our practices. Our presence in this ranking shows that our efforts are paying off. Many thanks to all of our associates for their invaluable contribution!”
The effects of such green efforts are positive for both existing and new hires. “Creating a culture of sustainability that reaches all areas of the company is very important to us at RONA,” Lussier adds. “It is something that resonates strongly with our employees and with potential candidates since they care about partnering and encouraging responsible businesses.”
