The UK's tight labour market appears to be making employees more aware of the values of the company they work for, according to new research by the Industrial Society.
A survey of 255 UK employees by the non profit body found that more than half claimed to have chosen the company they work for because they 'believe in what it does and what it stands for'.
Study author Stephanie Draper, head of corporate social responsibility at the Society, says a tight UK employment market is putting pressure on companies to become 'employers of choice'.
The findings 'challenge prevailing recruitment and retention strategies which centre on pay and benefits,' she adds. 'Other priorities such as ethics and reputation are now playing a more important role.'
The Industrial Society estimates that only four per cent of FTSE 350 companies report on their social performance.
The findings are contained in the report Corporate Nirvana – is the future socially responsible? published by the Society, which has more than 10,000 members, many of them companies.