Is CSR a magnet for personnel?
Lately we have been trying to fill a position for conference manager/office manager, due to our recent growth. It has been quite a frustrating job, because the Dutch economy as well as other economies are doing quite well. This has created a war for talent, and broad choice for employees. I thought that with our mission focus it would give us an advantage over other companies. I was wrong.
It seemed that nearly everyone that we found, was interested in a job where they could grow and earn a good salary, and not work in a salt mine. Sustainbility, responsible investment, CSR, ESG, values, ethics, was not a motivation, at all. I was rather shocked. Could it be that CSR or committment to sustainability is not a guarantee of keeping or finding the best talent? Or, maybe that theory only works if there is a job shortage. I need to do some research.
It is also possible that no one wants to be conference manager? I will come back to you
Check out this video of Paul Hawken’s new book:
I see a relation here to the larger societal problem of apathy and the degree to which people are self absorbed. In the western world, while we may have a passionate and active minority who are working for change and following their passions even in the work place… we also have MORE people who do the exact opposite. They look at work as simply a way to “get theirs” and things like.. believing in what you do or connecting it to global issues, thats considered silly.
In my limited 6 year experience in the Netherlands I feel we have alot of this problem. Like in the US, many young professionals have discarded social consciousness for plain old personal gain.
But I still think someone is out there!
Robert,
Is it possible that your job offer just was not good enough? Taken into consideration the period of economic growth we experience.
CSR can be a trigger, and probably is, though not for everyone. If the main goal (your primary value) is simply to make a lot of money their will be a lot of values you are not interested in. SRI may not be one of them, or only when the primary value is met.
It has to go both ways. You need someone that shares and supports the TBLI values. But you also have to know the hierarchy of values of your applicant.
While it is for a (growing) lot of people becoming more important in their daily life – and work – to be concerned with environmental issues, the main issue is still their own basic needs and wants.
With this I do not mean that new 40 inch flatscreen TV, but more simply paying your mortgage or rent and other bills that are monthly due and still keep a (fair) amount left to live off.
For example: In other people’s hierarchy of values “family concern†may come before “environmentâ€. This does not mean those people are not concerned with environmental issues. But the latter has to serve those values which are higher in the order.
I do agree that it is in the interest of us all to find a way in which we can merge personal values with values like environmental concern and sustainability.