UK Employers need to align with their employees’ values or risk losing younger talent

Young person annoyed that their employees values are not being met.

Amba 11th October 2023

We conducted research amongst thousands of full-time workers, of all ages in the UK, and published a report revealing how the priorities and values of Gen Z employees differ from their older colleagues.

The research revealed that 42% of employees don’t feel their current employer shares their values.

This could have devastating consequences, with almost two-thirds of these employees considering leaving their roles in the next 12 months.

Plus the fact that, 16% of 18–24-year-olds left their last employer because they didn’t share their values.

The importance of employee values

“62% actively look for an employer who shares their values.”

As stated above, the research revealed that two-in-five employees don’t feel their current employer shares their values (42%), whilst almost half (45%) claim their employer doesn’t 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 don’t feel their employer shares their values, a potentially devastating 58% are considering leaving in the next 12 months.

The research 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.

Ethical business values attract the workforce of tomorrow

“71% of young people now actively research a company’s ethics before accepting a job”

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% of 55-64-year-olds.

In addition, 18-24-year-olds are most likely to look into a potential employer’s values. In fact, 71% of young people now actively research a company’s ethics before accepting a job.

Our CEO, Tobin Murphy-Coles, commented: “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.”

We’ve created an ethical employee shopping platform to do just that. Lumina Perks is an ESG focused employee perk solution that is an effortless way to promote a culture of sustainability.

Appeal to the values of the younger workforce and retain your climate-conscious employees. Lumina Perks gives them a chance to make positive changes whilst saving on everyday items, as well as products with larger social and environmental impact, like EV chargers. All whilst boosting your ESG and CSR performances in the process.

Find out more about Lumina Perks and how it aligns with your employee’s values.

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