Environmental
IN THIS SECTION:
Environmental Highlights
Environment
Global Health and Safety
Kelly is committed to protecting our planet for future generations. Our environmental initiatives aim to create safe and sustainable work environments for our employees and talent while mitigating the environmental footprint of our operations.
Conducted a comprehensive Scope 3 inventory to map and manage emissions across our value chain.
We committed to setting near-term company-wide emission reduction targets through the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi) to establish a comprehensive strategy aimed at quantifying, reducing, and offsetting our emissions.
Our progress is communicated through our annual Sustainability Report, Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), EcoVadis, and external sustainability assessments.
We continue to deliver on our core promise to ensure healthy and safe work environments for all our employees and talent. Since 2010, Kelly has maintained our zero-injury program, Absolute Zero.
Successfully launched technology within our internal risk management system allowing us to track impactful metrics and capture incidents and accidents more consistently.
Evaluate environmental impact for science-based target setting.
Align environmental performance with climate change risk assessment.
Drive ongoing workplace safety improvements and implement more effective preventive solutions using data-driven insights and advanced technology.
SDG Alignment
While our primary focus is connecting people to enriching work, we recognize the environmental impacts of our operations and aim to minimize our global carbon footprint. Kelly’s risk management process includes environmental factors to meet rising client expectations and regulatory standards for carbon accounting and climate risk. We enhance our understanding and accountability for carbon emissions across our global operations by refining internal systems for better data collection and validation of our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
In 2024, we committed to setting near-term company-wide emission reduction targets through the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi) to establish a comprehensive strategy for quantifying, reducing, and offsetting our emissions. This commitment supports global climate efforts and positions us for a sustainable and resilient future.
Kelly remains committed to tracking energy intensity, reducing energy consumption, and adopting renewable energy sources to minimize our environmental footprint and promote a sustainable future.
In 2024, we proudly took a significant step toward enhancing our sustainability initiatives by transitioning to paperless billing. This change reflects our dedication to reducing paper consumption and minimizing our environmental footprint. In recognition of this, one of our vendors donated 5,000 trees across their region through their Community Roots Program for our efforts. This generous act underscores the positive environmental impact of our collective commitment to sustainability.
In our commitment to sustainability and inclusion, we have partnered with a woman-owned minority company specializing in eco-friendly furnishings to upgrade our branch offices. This initiative supports our environmental goals by sourcing high-quality, sustainable materials while also promoting inclusion and belonging. Through this collaboration, we enhance our office spaces and contribute to a greener planet and a more inclusive economy.
Kelly operates from leased office spaces and discloses Scope 1 and 2 emissions data for facilities under operational control in Australia, Canada, Malaysia, Puerto Rico, and the United States. Following the sale of our European operations, we do not have operational control over facilities located in Europe and therefore exclude them from our GHG emissions accounting.
Our Scope 1 emissions include natural gas usage at our headquarters and branch offices, along with mobile gas use from two owned vehicles. We report Scope 2 emissions from electricity consumption using both location-based and market-based approaches, covering our facilities and IT equipment housed in third-party data centers. The market-based approach shows that 100% renewable energy powers 389 MWh of our IT equipment, procured by our vendor. Additionally, our Sydney, Australia office holds a 6-star NABERS Energy Base Building rating for environmental efficiency and operates on 100% renewable energy.
In 2024, we partnered with a third-party expert to conduct a comprehensive Scope 3 inventory, aiming to enhance our understanding and management of emissions across our value chain. This change in methodology, along with the inclusion of additional categories relevant to Kelly’s operations, resulted in an increase in our reported Scope 3 emissions. The expanded categories now encompass purchased goods and services, capital goods, fuel- and energy-related activities, upstream transportation, waste disposal, business travel, employee commuting and remote working, and upstream leased assets.
*Kelly subsidiaries are not included in the 2024 GHG emissions accounting.
Our carbon emission accounting aligns with the GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard, ensuring adherence to recognized global guidelines. We collect data through utility bills, green energy reports, and mileage records, supporting robust emissions calculations. Emissions factors are sourced from leading databases like Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regional eGrid for the Americas, and the U.K. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) for international activities and Scope 3 emissions.
For Scope 1 and 2 emissions, we apply an operational control approach in the Americas and APAC regions. We calculate Scope 2 emissions utilizing both location-based and market-based methodologies for electricity consumption.
Scope 3 emissions are calculated using spend-based, distance-based, and average-data approaches, providing a comprehensive overview of indirect emissions throughout our supply chain.
Kelly is dedicated to continuously improving our data collection, calculation, and validation methods to provide accurate and valuable information for our stakeholders.
Our Scope 1 and 2 metrics include emissions from facilities under our operational control. Where actual data is unavailable, we use estimates from sources like the U.S. Energy Information Administration's survey. These estimates take into account factors such as square footage, location, energy intensity, and the local electricity grid, though they inherently carry some uncertainty. Scope 3 emissions rely on EPA supply chain emission factors by NAICS codes, which, despite some data limitations, serve as a useful baseline.
We recognize these limitations and commit to refining our methodologies and improving data accuracy. As we gain access to more precise data and industry-leading practices, our approach will evolve, ensuring transparency and effectiveness in reporting our environmental impact.
Kelly's global offices maintain a low water usage footprint, primarily consuming water for employee needs. In 2021, we conducted a water risk assessment and found that most of our facilities are located in low-risk water stress areas. At our headquarters, we adopted water-saving practices, including irrigation systems for landscaping and smart-sensor, low-flow fixtures in faucets and toilets, to further reduce usage.
Our facilities generate waste mainly from daily office activities. We collaborate with local landlords to ensure efficient waste management, focusing on the proper separation and recycling of IT assets and office materials. In 2024, our headquarters office shredded and recycled 17.84 metric tons of paper, saving 472 trees and over 37,354 gallons of water. Through our e-waste program, 4.47 metric tons of hardware were recycled and diverted from landfills, and 1,979 units were remarketed in the U.S.
As a global workforce solutions provider, Kelly is committed to the highest health and safety standards for our employees, our most important asset. We ensure compliance with local and national regulations and implement Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) systems aligned with international standards.
Our Global Safety, Health, and Environmental (SHE) team, composed of internal experts, collaborates with employees, talent, customers, industry peers, and government agencies to design and share best practices that mitigate accidents, incidents, and occupational hazards. We engage with industry associations, such as the American Staffing Association (ASA) Safety Subcommittee, to stay informed and enhance workplace safety practices.
In 2023, we formalized our EHS system and began enhancing technology within our internal risk management system. Successfully launched in 2024, this technology allows us to track impactful metrics and capture incidents and accidents more consistently. Using data-driven insights, we can implement and drive preventative measures to reduce the risk of injuries and illnesses for Kelly Talent assigned to our customers' worksites.
Our Global SHE team also actively engages in our internal Risk, Opportunities, Vetting, and Enablement committee, ensuring we connect people to work opportunities where they feel safe and secure in their work environment.
Our Global Safety and Health policy embodies our commitment to a safe working environment for every employee. This policy is outlined in our Employee Handbook and shared with new hires during orientation. We emphasize accountability and shared responsibility among managers, employees, and customers to understand, lead, and uphold our safety standards.
Kelly’s Absolute Zero program, led by our Global Safety, Health, and Environmental team, reinforces our dedication to employee safety. This program offers a comprehensive framework for the highest safety standards and includes proactive initiatives to identify, assess, mitigate, and prevent occupational illnesses and injuries. Absolute Zero goes beyond compliance by monitoring impact metrics and striving for zero on-the-job accidents, injuries, and illnesses.
Kelly's unwavering dedication to health and safety extends to both our talent and customers. Through our Global Safety and Health Program, we encourage and empower customers to uphold the highest safety standards at their workplace. The program offers regular training and engagement for talent placed at our customers' worksites.
Our staff includes one Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and one Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), who serve as resources for our clients and talent. We actively engage with customers by conducting pre-assignment risk assessments of their work environments, providing worker training, and analyzing incident reports to assess their safety commitment.
We perform safety evaluations of all customers before service initiation and regularly monitor through our performance evaluation metrics.
In 2024, the Company outperformed our peers in the staffing industry by 84% Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) and 93% Days Away/Restricted and Transferred Incident Rate (DART) compared to the 2023 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) industry averages.*
*Current year industry averages were not available at the time of publishing.
Kelly has received annual recognition for safety performance by a premier client for over 28 years.
In 2024, the Industry Business Roundtable (IBR) awarded Kelly with a Safety Excellence Award in the Large Technical Support Silver category.
Kelly Canada received the Certificate of Recognition (COR) from the Alberta Government in 2024. This certificate is awarded to employers who develop health and safety programs that adhere to established standards.
In 2024, Kelly achieved the Health and Safety Excellence Program certification by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) in Ontario.
