November 2009 - Company Ethics More Important Than Environment Policies For Employees: Kelly Survey
Auckland employees most socially and environmentally aware
Kiwis are more likely to want to work for a company that is socially responsible and cares for the environment, but an organisation’s ethics are more important to them than how ‘green’ it is, according to a new international workplace survey.
The Kelly Global Workforce Index surveyed almost 100,000 people in 34 countries, including over 3000 New Zealanders.
According to the study, over 83% of respondents would be more likely to want to work for a company that is considered ethically and socially responsible, while 75% would prefer to work for an environmentally responsible company. In deciding where to work, 69% of respondents rated an organisation’s reputation for ethical conduct as very important. Policies or initiatives to help reduce the impact of global warming were only seen as very important by 30% of Kiwis surveyed.
Kelly marketing manager Victoria Bennett says the Kelly Global Workforce Index showed employees have a very strong preference for companies that behave ethically and are environmentally responsible.
“The survey shows that Kiwis, like employees across the world, care very strongly about how a company behaves, and its reputation not just for performance but also for making a contribution to wider social goals,” says Victoria Bennett.
According to the survey, although high, New Zealanders concern about ethical and social responsibility puts the country at 27th of the 34 countries surveyed, with Mexico highest at 97% and Luxembourg lowest at 74%. New Zealand was also in the bottom half of the table for environmental concern, ranked 23rd of the 34 countries surveyed. In the global survey, employees in Puerto Rico demonstrated the strongest preference for companies that showed environmental responsibility (94%), with employees in Russia having the least concern (57%).
Ms Bennett says the survey also highlighted the different approaches of the generations to both environmental and ethical concerns.
“According to the survey, 57% of Gen X (aged 30 – 47) employees would be prepared to take a pay cut or demotion to work with a socially responsible employer, followed by baby boomers (aged 48 – 65) at 55% and Gen Y (aged 18 – 29) at 50%.”
Of the generations, Gen Y also showed less concern for an employer’s reputation for socially responsible behaviour, with 63% saying a company’s reputation for ethical conduct is very important – less than the total average of 69%.
The Kelly Index also revealed differences in attitude across the country. By region, a greater number of Aucklanders would prefer to work for an employer that is considered ethically and socially responsible (84%) and environmentally responsible (75%). Canterbury employees showed the lowest level of concern in both areas, with 79% preferring to work for a company with an ethical reputation and 74% concerned about a company’s environmental reputation.
By industry, employees in the science and pharmaceutical sector are most likely to care about a company’s ethical reputation (92%) and environmental responsibility (91%). Employees in IT and retail have the lowest levels of concern in both areas.
“Perhaps as a result of the recent financial crisis, New Zealanders are more aware of how companies behave, particularly in terms of demonstrating a greater level of social responsibility,” says Victoria Bennett.
“This demonstrates that in creating an employer brand, companies need to find a balance between financial performance and developing a culture of community responsibility.”
“This is an important signal, particularly as some sectors begin to face a shortage of the best talent, that the concept of triple bottom line performance really does resonate for employees.”
-Ends-
For further information, please contact:
Victoria Bennett Gerard Blank
Marketing Manager The Agency Communications Ltd
Kelly Services (New Zealand) Ltd Tel: +64 3 341 5841?
Tel: +64 3 363 5322 Mob: 0275 243 629
Mob: 027 213 0613 Email: gerard@theagencynz.co.nz
Email: victoria_bennett@kellyservices.com
About the Kelly Global Workforce Index
The Kelly Global Workforce Index is a survey revealing opinions about work and the workplace from a generational viewpoint. Results of the current findings from across Kelly’s global operations in North America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific will be published throughout 2009 in a series of six releases.
About Kelly Services
Kelly Services is now entering its 20th year in New Zealand, helping businesses around the country recruit, manage and retain the right people – at all levels.
Kelly offers temporary, contract and permanent staffing solutions for a range of industry sectors, including office, industrial, financial, scientific, engineering, human resources, executive management, contact centre and information technology. Kelly also provides a host of tailored business solutions, to provide expert support and assistance in all aspects of recruitment and workforce management.
Kelly Services, Inc. (NASDAQ: KELYA, KELYB) is a world leader in workforce management services and human resources solutions. Kelly offers a comprehensive array of temporary staffing, permanent placement, outsourcing, and consulting services. Kelly serves clients around the globe and provides employment to 650,000 employees annually. Revenue in 2008 was $5.5 billion. Visit www.kellyservices.com.
