Job-Seekers Prefer to Work for Ethical Firms

Kuala Lumpur, October 10, 2009 – 90 percent of Malaysian job-seekers have a strong preference for organisations with sound ethical, social responsibility, and environmental policies, latest findings from an international workplace survey says.

According to the survey, organizations with strong social responsibility practices are being viewed as “employers of choice” by Malaysian job seekers who overwhelmingly prefer companies that focus beyond performance outcomes and promote larger social goals.

The Kelly Global Workforce Index, by global workforce solutions leader Kelly Services, revealed that employees across all age generations gravitate to organizations considered ethically and environmentally responsible, with baby boomers (aged 48-65) generally more discerning than their younger colleagues amongst Gen Y (aged 18-29) and Gen X (aged 30-47).

Half of all workers are prepared to accept a pay cut or a demotion in order to work for an organization with a sound corporate reputation. In fact, concern about ethical behaviour outweighs concern about the environment across all generations when deciding where to work.

Vice President and Country General Manager of Kelly Services (M) Sdn Bhd, Ms Melissa Norman, said, “Employees take pride not only in what they do while at work, but in what their organization stands for and how it is perceived by the entire community. It provides a sense of fulfillment to be part of an enterprise that is focused not only on performance outcomes but also on larger social goals.”

Amongst the key findings of the survey:

• 90 percent of respondents are more likely to want to work for a company that is considered ethically and socially responsible.
• 88 percent are more likely to want to work for a company that is considered environmentally responsible.
• 74 percent say that in deciding where to work, an organization’s reputation for ethical conduct is ‘very important.’
• 50 percent would be prepared to accept a lesser role or a lower salary to work for a firm with a strong environmental and community conscience.
• 50 percent say that in deciding where to work, policies aimed at addressing global warming are ‘very important.’

There is a pattern of increased concern for good ethical and environmental practice as employees become older, with baby boomers generally more aware of social and ethical issues than younger workers.

A total of 58 percent of baby boomers would be prepared to take a pay cut or a demotion in order to work with a socially conscientious employer, followed by Gen Y at 50 percent and Gen X at 49 percent.

“Older employees are more appreciative of both ethical and environmental values in an employer, but like the rest of the global population in the survey, attach greater significance to ethical rather than environmental issues. Does this make older workers more idealistic? Not necessarily. It may have more to do with the circumstances faced by workers in different age generations. Many younger Gen Y employees may be in the first job and are not in a position to be choosy about where they work. Many will be grateful for a job,” Norman added.

In contrast, older workers with greater experience in the workplace may have greater bargaining power in terms of deciding where and on what terms they are employed. They can probably afford to be more selective.

“Firms that develop a culture of social responsibility send a powerful message about the type of talent they want to attract and the organizational norms they want to cultivate. They serve as a benchmark as to what is expected and is viewed favourably by prospective employees,” Norman concluded.

The Kelly Global Workforce Index obtained the views of nearly 100,000 people in 34 countries including almost 2,000 in Malaysia.

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, 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.

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Author's bio: Zul is the founder and principal contributor for the SKOR Career blog. He is the author of two books, The Malaysian Job Seeker's Dilemma and Buat Duit Tanpa Kerja Makan Gaji (How to Make Money Without a Job), available in major book stores nationwide. You can reach him at zulkiflimusa[at]gmail.com.