At the end of last week, more than 1,000 employees at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) received distressing news: they could be dismissed immediately. Workers with less than one year of service were notified via email that they had been identified as “probationary/trial period” employees and were at risk of immediate termination.

According to the email, “As a probationary/trial period employee, the agency has the right to immediately terminate you.” The unsettling message has left many EPA employees uncertain about their futures and has sparked widespread fear across the agency.

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Marie Owens Powell, president of the American Federation of Government Employees Council 238, which represents approximately 8,500 EPA staffers, confirmed that about 1,100 employees received this notification. While no probationary employees have been let go yet, Powell emphasized that the email had caused significant anxiety among staff. “It was scary for people to receive the message, as you can imagine,” she said. “The agency obviously can dismiss probationary employees, but it has to be for cause.”

The decision to send out these termination notices comes as part of a broader push by the Trump administration to downsize the federal government.

In line with President Trump’s “energy dominance” policy agenda, the EPA is undergoing a reorganization aimed at reducing regulations and realigning resources to focus on energy production and deregulation efforts. This includes a reevaluation of agency functions and staffing, with a particular focus on programs that do not align with the administration’s priorities.

In addition to the layoffs, nearly 200 employees involved in environmental justice and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives have been placed on administrative leave. These programs, which focus on supporting communities disproportionately impacted by pollution, have been sidelined in the new direction of the EPA, raising concerns about the future of environmental justice within the agency.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, who was confirmed last week, has been tasked with leading the agency’s efforts to roll back regulations enacted under the previous administration, including those aimed at reducing carbon emissions and promoting environmental equity. The restructuring and layoffs are expected to further weaken the EPA’s capacity to address climate change, pollution, and public health issues, particularly for vulnerable populations who rely on the agency’s protective regulations.

The atmosphere within the EPA has become one of fear and uncertainty, as employees are left unsure of their job security and the future of the agency’s work. With critical programs in jeopardy and a shift in focus away from key environmental issues, many are questioning how the agency will continue to fulfill its mission of safeguarding public health and the environment. As these changes unfold, the long-term impact on U.S. environmental policy remains uncertain, and the ripple effects could be felt across the country and beyond.

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The generational gap has never seemed as wide as it has become today. Ranging from juniors in firms to having nearly two decades of established experience, millennials are the most influential and important demographic when it comes to the workforce. By 2020, 50% of the workforce will be made up of millennials, so it’s important that the values they hold close are amplified by their employers. These can fall into two main categories: concerns about the environment and protections at work.  

The environment – thankfully – is now a key talking point. With members of Gen Z such as influential Greta Thunberg and the school strike for climate initiative hot on their heels, millennials are keen to show that they are also concerned about the future of the planet. As a result, businesses that can showcase green credentials are going to be viewed more favorably by millennials. This doesn’t just extend to the business sector, but also to how brands handle being green in day to day business life. 70% of millennials surveyed claimed they would opt to work in an environmentally friendly company, with 75% suggesting that they would take a pay cut to work at a sustainable firm.

This passion for the environment could be a good way for businesses not only to benefit the greater good and to improve their corporate social responsibility but also to attract the millennial workforce and keep these employees happy. This is important especially considering how the Baby Boomer generation is on its way to full retirement, and the roles need filling. Simple things such as recycling, reducing waste, and operating on renewable energy where possible could help attract millennials to a company. Such an approach shows that, at the very least, you are committed to future changes.  

In a wider context, millennials are reportedly also more interested in benefits over perks. While free drinks and fruit might be enticing, millennials want to know that they have protections in place as employees – such as health and dental care, childcare benefits, and progression within the business and their role. Looking at a company, millennials are also concerned with best practices in business.

They understand how companies that don’t adhere to such practices could be slapped with hefty fines and land in disrepute. As the information on general liability insurance quotes at next-insurance.com proves, even the smallest oversight in a professional environment can potentially lead to trouble, so ensuring the correct insurance is in place is important not just for the business to succeed, but for getting millennials on site. Work-life balance is also important for millennials, so offering a benefit that includes flexible working or enables them to not be boxed into a nine-to-five could also help attract them. Add to this retirement planning and healthcare, and your business will be well-suited to attract millennials to the workforce.    

How businesses handle environmental issues is incredibly important. Throw in the issue of protections at work, and you have the perfect recipe for attracting millennial recruits to your company. As we move towards seriously combatting the climate crisis, more people currently aged between 23 and 36 will be influential in where they choose to work and which companies they choose to help improve through their labor.   

The post How Can Employers Attract More Millennials? appeared first on Green Prophet.

Do you dream about working towards a greener future in the Middle East but simply don’t know where the good jobs are? If so, you might want to head over to the 7th World Future Energy Summit (WFES), where Masdar Institute of Science and Technology and Reed Exhibitions are hosting a “Green Career Fair.”

Since green jobs are something of a new thing in the Middle East and North Africa, it may be hard for some people to know where to find them.

The Green Career Fair provides a platform for potential employers and employees to meet, and on site workshops, a Career Advice Desk, and HR professionals will provide insight into the kinds of jobs that are available in the renewable energy field in particular.

In addition to providing a map to green jobs for people seeking work, the fair allows companies who are seeking skilled employees to advertise current openings and interview people directly at the fair. This process helps cut down the cost and time typically associated with attending and conducting numerous interviews.

“Platforms such as the Green Career Fair offer emerging clean energy professionals the right channel for their professional development through engaging with industries in the field to discuss future trends in clean energy capacity building,” said Dr Behjat Al Yousuf, Masdar Institute’s dean of students.

Naji El Haddad, who is the director of WFES, noted that the fair offers the ideal setting to bring together people who are either directly or indirectly involved in the renewable energy sector, and those who wish to be.

“Building sustainable communities across the Mena region is of vital economic and strategic importance for future sustainability,” said El Haddad. “There is an increasing need for youth to develop careers in renewable energy sectors.”

Three companies who will be present at the fair include Eden Energy Group, Microsol, and Acwa Power. In addition to advertising available jobs, they are also interested to convince young graduates and professionals of the benefits of getting involved with the green economy, as opposed to the fossil fuel industry, for example.

“It is a proven fact that renewables, with particular reference to distributed generation, create the maximum local jobs per megawatt,” said J Vishwanathan, Microsol’s director. “This was proven even in high-cost countries such as Germany and Japan. The same is relevant to MENA.”

The Green Career Fair will be co-located with the second edition of the International Water Summit and the inaugural EcoWASTE exhibition, also hosted by Masdar, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center, from January 20-22, 2014.

Green Prophet will be there, so be sure to pop on by to say hello.

Image of male engineer via Shutterstock

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