Oakleaf - Your Vision, Our Passion

Under the plans the company said that each month it will offer a different discount for employees, which could save each person £140 and reduce their carbon emissions by 651kg. Incentives for employees could include discounted energy-saving bulbs, insulation and energy-efficient thermostats. In total, staff could save £4.2 million and more than 19 million kilograms of carbon dioxide a month, the company said. An intranet forum has also been set up for staff to share green tips and stories. Cash prizes will be given out for the best eco ideas, and colleagues can nominate each other for an eco hero award for changes they have made to their home, community, workplace or lifestyle.

More than 1,300 B&Q staff who sell eco-products will also be able to study for a new eco-adviser qualification, a City & Guilds Level 2 Diploma in Retail Skills. By upskilling its workforce, the employer aims to have an eco-adviser to help customers in every outlet by the end of this year. The programme has been launched as part of the Prince of Wales' Start initiative, which was launched in February. Start aims to help people across the UK lead more sustainable lives. Euan Sutherland, chief executive of B&Q and Kingfisher UK, said: "We want to make it easier for our colleagues and customers to green up their homes and we hope that our support of the Prince of Wales' Start initiative together with the investment we are making in special discounts on eco products for our employees will mean that as many of us as possible will be able to make a start in our own homes."

Taken from People Management.