Some 98% of financial services employees take corporate culture as a key consideration when choosing a job, according to a survey from Everyone Matters.
The not-for-profit financial services advocacy group concluded from its findings that corporate culture should remain “a top priority” across the sector. A further 99% of the 100 respondents said it is ‘extremely important’ or ‘very important’ that they work in a positive environment, while 47% of those surveyed chose the statement: “I like a workplace that values its people” from a list of six, as a top priority.
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What’s more, the survey found that respondents see sustainability as a “defining characteristic of corporate culture”. Approximately 96% of respondents believe that financial services companies have a critical role in limiting climate change and biodiversity loss, yet 61% are concerned the sector is not doing enough to tackle climate-related risks.
Diversity of thought
Elsewhere, inclusion and diversity are highly valued by employees. When asked the challenges that more diverse thinking would help their respective places of work, ‘poor leadership’ came out as the top answer, having been cited by 40% of those aged between 35-54 and 37% of those over the age of 55.
Similarly, approximately one-third of respondents cited a lack of diverse perspectives in decision-making as the biggest barrier to success.
The report stated: “While the financial services industry has placed a considerable focus on diversity and inclusion, the survey suggests that fostering diversity of thought – critical for effective workplace cultures – has fallen behind.”
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Pat Sharman (pictured), co-founder of Everyone Matters, said “companies need to walk the talk and stay true to their core values”.
“If they do, it will be reflected in a positive corporate culture, which will benefit everyone in the financial services workplace,” she explained. “Diversity of thought helps creative and critical thinking, which are essential future workplace skills as defined by the World Economic Forum.”
