MNN - Mother Nature Network

Today we say goodbye to 2008 and prepare to welcome 2009 with a record number of Americans doing so as recently unemployed workers.  Green jobs will play an increasing role in reducing the unemployment numbers in the coming year and a recent survey conducted by Harris Interactive and CareerBuilder.com supports this statement.

 

3,259 human resource representatives completed the survey and the results focused on hiring trends for 2009.  The numbers were down from 2008 in full-time and part-time new hires but companies in the South and the West are expecting to hire more employees than they did in 2008.

 

The study also recognized seven significant hiring trends for 2009:  increased salaries, flexible work arrangements including telecommuting, green jobs, using a variety of recruitment tools, retaining retirees, diversifying the workforce and an increased use of contract workers. 

“Employers plan to become more environmentally aware in the new year. Thirteen percent of employers say they plan to add "green jobs" in 2009, compared to one-in-ten who say they added them in 2008. "Green Jobs" are positions that implement environmentally conscious design, policy, and technology to improve conservation and sustainability.”  Source:  PR Newswire

The results from this survey are just one of several articles in my email inbox that focus on green jobs in the coming year.  The subject is definitely a hot topic right now but not everyone is keen on the emphasis on “green” for the new year. 

 

Lake Superior State University in Michigan has published its 2009 List of Banished Words and “green” tops the list. 

“The ubiquitous 'Green' and all of its variables, such as 'going green,' 'building green,' 'greening,' 'green technology,' 'green solutions' and more, drew the most attention from those who sent in nominations this year.”  Source:  Lake Superior State University

Responders from Colorado to Virginia and Pennsylvania to Kansas were annoyed with the perceived overuse of the word green.  My recent entries on green collar jobs and hottest green jobs for 2009 would raise the ire of those opposed to the popularity of the word green.

 

Unfortunately for those annoyed with the word, I do not see it being used less in 2009 as the nation continues to focus on the expansion of green jobs as part of the new economic stimulus measures.

 

Photo by duchessa