New research by Amba reveals that two-in-five employees do not feel their current employer shares their values (42%).
Also, almost half (45%) claim their employer do not meet their expectations of what it means to be an ethical business.
If left unaddressed, this could have devastating consequences for UK businesses. Of those workers who do not feel their employer shares their values, a potentially devastating 58 percent are considering leaving in the next 12 months.
Values are becoming increasingly important to workers
The research, which was conducted amongst thousands of full-time workers in the UK, found that values are becoming increasingly important to modern workers.
More than two-thirds (69%) feel it is important their employer has strong ethics, while two-in-five (62%) actively look for an employer who shares their values.
In fact, a business’s values are now the most important factor when it comes to judging a potential employer (61%), ranking above the quality of its products (40%), its website (21%) and even what other employees say about the company (59%).
When it comes to the values that workers prioritise, sustainability was found to be a key issue, with nearly two-thirds (63%) of respondents believing employers should try to be sustainable in everything they do.
The research forms part of a new report from Amba, the creators of ESG-focused workplace perks platform, Lumina Perks, which reveals how the priorities of Gen-Z employees differ from their older colleagues.
While the importance of an employer’s values was felt across the board, it was clear that younger respondents are the most discerning. Nearly one-in-five (16%) 18–24-year-olds left their last employer because they didn’t share their values, compared to just 7% of 55-64-year-olds. Similarly, one-in-10 (12%) Gen Z employees have left a previous role as a direct result of their employer’s inaction over sustainability, compared to just 3 percent of 55-64-year-olds.
Values of the employer
In addition, 18-24-year-olds are most likely to look into a potential employer’s values. In fact, 71 percent of young people now actively research a company’s ethics before accepting a job.
Tobin Murphy-Coles, CEO at Amba, the creators of Lumina, comments: “Employers simply can’t afford to ignore the changing priorities of today’s workforce. Our research shows that young candidates increasingly want to work for businesses that do good – both for their people and the planet – and are willing to turn down opportunities if employers don’t meet these standards.
“Clearly, a commitment to environmental and social issues is no longer a nice-to-have. Businesses must demonstrate a strong commitment to environmental and social issues or risk losing out in the fight for the UK’s valuable young talent.”
Amelia Brand is the Editor for HRreview, and host of the HR in Review podcast series. With a Master’s degree in Legal and Political Theory, her particular interests within HR include employment law, DE&I, and wellbeing within the workplace. Prior to working with HRreview, Amelia was Sub-Editor of a magazine, and Editor of the Environmental Justice Project at University College London, writing and overseeing articles into UCL’s weekly newsletter. Her previous academic work has focused on philosophy, politics and law, with a special focus on how artificial intelligence will feature in the future.
