Only half or 52 per cent of workers in the UK believe that their employer’s self-promotion is consistent with their conduct regarding social, ethical, and environmental issues, according to Opinium.
According to the research, around 60 per cent of senior decision-makers believe their business aligns with its self-promotion, but this drops to 58 per cent among middle managers and 46 per cent among junior staff. Additionally, 12 per cent of UK workers feel their company acts inconsistently with its image.
In the UK, nearly half of employees say they value environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles, with the number rising to 54 per cent among those aged 18 to 34. A third of employees, and 43 per cent of younger workers, would think about quitting if their employer’s ESG values didn’t match their own.
But only one in five employees thinks that companies should pay greater attention to their ethical, social, and environmental effects. Younger workers are particularly likely to have this opinion, with 54 per cent of those between the ages of 18 and 34 agreeing, compared to 43 per cent of those between the ages of 35 and 54 and only 34 per cent of those over 55.
Opinium CEO James Endersby says: “Businesses of all sizes are facing challenges at the moment, whether it’s escalating costs and rising tax bills, pressure on performance or a drive for efficiency and automation. As a result, it appears that ESG matters have fallen down the priority list somewhat. However, environmental, social and ethical principles are not just nice-to have initiatives – they are becoming essential to retaining and attracting talent, particularly among younger generations. With Gen Z set to make up a third of the global workforce by 2030, their demand for meaningful ESG action will shape the future of work.
“Our research shows that nearly half of workers aged 18–34 would be willing to leave their jobs if their employer’s ESG commitments do not align with their own values. This generation is vocal about their expectations for action, not just promises, and businesses that fail to meet these expectations risk not only losing talent but also damaging their reputation.”