KUALA LUMPUR: About 90 per cent of Malaysian job-seekers have a strong preference for organisations with sound ethical, social responsibility and environmental policies, according to a workplace survey.Organisations with strong social responsibility practices are being viewed as “employers of choice” by Malaysian job seekers who prefer companies that focus beyond performance outcomes and promote larger social goals, said the survey by Kelly Services Inc.

It found that employees across all age generations gravitate to organisations considered ethically and environmentally responsible, with baby boomers (aged 48 to 65) generally more discerning than their younger colleagues among Gen Y (aged 18 to 29) and Gen X (aged 30 to 47).

Half of all workers are prepared to accept a pay cut or a demotion in order to work for an organisation with a sound corporate reputation, the survey said.

In fact, concern about ethical behaviour outweighed concern about the environment across all generations when deciding where to work, it added.

“Employees take pride not only in what they do while at work, but in what their organisation stands for and how it is perceived by the entire community,” said vice president and country general manager of Kelly Services (M) Sdn Bhd, Melissa Norman.

“It provides a sense of fulfilment to be part of an enterprise that is focused not only on performance outcomes but also on larger social goals,” she said.

Among the key findings of the survey is that 88 per cent are more likely to want to work for a company that is considered environmentally responsible.

About 74 per cent said that in deciding where to work, an organisation’s reputation for ethical conduct is “very important”.

About 50 per cent said they would be prepared to accept a lesser role or a lower salary to work for a firm with a strong environmental and community conscience. Another 50 per cent said that in deciding where to work, policies aimed at addressing global warming are “very important”. – Bernama