Workers Aren’t Going Green With Envy

Corporate Citizens: “Be socially responsible, but don’t expect it from us.” That seems to be what workers are saying to their companies, based on results from two independent pieces of research. The Kenexa Research Institute, part of talent management vendor Kenexa Inc. in Wayne, Pennsylvania, says its studies show that companies who are strong corporate citizens tend to have employees who are more highly engaged and embrace favorable views of upper management. As a result, these people tend to go the extra mile and show a preference for staying with their companies than those who hold less favorable views.

But being socially responsible is not a two-way street, apparently. Although corporations are under pressure to go “green,” few workers are willing to change jobs simply to help save the planet. According to a sampling of 6,000 people by Jobfox, a career Web site in McLean, Virginia, only 5 percent would move from their current employer to a company that is more environmentally friendly. Only 9 percent plan to seek jobs with shorter commuting times. Instead, what workers want are greater chances for advancement (55 percent), the opportunity to shoulder leadership responsibilities (41 percent) and a better work/life balance (38 percent).