Workers attracted to employers with perceived strong ethical standards

New research by UK pharmaceutical company, MSD, based on an online survey of 2,000 people aged over 18, claims that three quarters (74 percent) of young workers (18-34) and 66 percent of over 35-year-olds would be happier working for a company with a positive impact and purpose in the world. Younger workers go even further with over two-fifths (42 percent) saying they would take a pay cut if it meant they could work for a company that had a positive impact and purpose in the world, with 23 percent of over 35-year-olds in agreement.

The findings also suggest that employees who identify with the overall purpose of a company are more likely to be productive. Two-thirds (69 percent) of 18 to 34-year-olds say they would be more productive when working for a company that has a positive impact in the world, whilst more than half (56 percent) of over 35-year-olds also said the same.

Interestingly, when it comes to deciding whether to stay at a company, half of younger workers and 32 per cent of over 35-year-olds say they would be likely to leave if their organisation did not prioritise having a positive impact and purpose in the world.