Organisations with strong social responsibility practices are viewed as 'employers of choice' by today's job-seekers, who prefer to work for companies that focus beyond top line and promote larger social goals, according to a survey.
The survey, conducted by global workforce solutions leader Kelly Services, reveals that employees across all age groups and regions prefer to work with organisations that have well-developed social, ethical and environmental policies.
The findings are part of the Kelly Global Workforce Index, which took the views of approximately 100,000 people in 34 countries, including Asia-Pacific, North America and Europe.
The findings, it notes, demonstrate the important link between social responsibility and strategies aimed at attracting and retaining high-quality staff. For instance, when deciding where to work, baby boomers (age 48-65) were found to be even more discerning than Gen Y (18-29) and Gen X (30-47) colleagues.
Among the key findings of the survey, almost 90 per cent respondents said they were more likely to work for an organisation that was considered ethically and socially responsible, something that is consistent across all generations.
Around 80 per cent are more likely to work for an organisation that is considered environmentally responsible, a figure that is considerably higher among older age groups. In deciding where to work, an organisation's reputation for ethical conduct is considered 'very important' by 65 per cent of Gen Y, 72 per cent of Gen X, and 77 per cent of baby boomers.
Around 46 per cent of Gen Y would be prepared to forego pay or promotion to work for an organisation with a good reputation, to 48 per cent for Gen X and 53 per cent for baby boomers.
In deciding where to work, policies to address global warming are considered 'very important' by 31 per cent of Gen Y, to 35 per cent among Gen X and 36 per cent for baby boomers.
Kelly Services executive VP and COO George Corona says organisations that develop effective social, ethical and environmental policies and procedures have a definite advantage when it comes to attracting key talent.
"Employees gain a sense of fulfilment when their employer is focused not only on the bottom line but also on initiatives and practices which have a connection with the communities in which they operate. There is a great deal of pressure on organisations to meet higher standards of corporate and ethical behaviour and to play an appropriate role on issues affecting the environment," Corona says.
