Values, especially well-being, honesty and respect, are more important to workers even than higher pay, according to new research from Provo-based experience management platform Qualtrics. More than half of U.S. employees (54 percent) would be willing to take a pay cut to work at a company with better values.
While shared values are a top priority, workers are split on whether they want companies and company leaders to speak out more on social, environmental and political issues. And the most contentious of American issues, including reproductive and constitutional rights, are at the bottom of the list of topics workers want to see their leaders addressing.
The findings offer a guideline for company leaders wondering about the right level of internal and external commentary when faced with divisive public policy debates, Qualtrics said. As societal divisions widen in the U.S., employees rely more than ever on their companies for guidance and community. The Qualtrics research showed that people feel their employer is more responsible than their family, community or government for their health and safety. The 2022 Edelman Trust Barometer reported that people trust their CEO and coworkers more than politicians, journalists or even their neighbors.
Employees want their company executives to speak out about societal and environmental issues — only 15 percent think their company should do so less. But there is some nuance when it comes to what they want to hear from their employers about. When asked to select their top three choices from a list of topics, 44 percent of workers said employers should prioritize weighing in on employee well-being, 35 percent wanted to hear more about wages and 33 percent would like their employers to speak out about worker rights and safety.
A far smaller share wanted their employers to speak out about reproductive issues (3.3 percent), constitutional rights (4.8 percent) or politics (2.8 percent).
“When it comes to divisive policy issues and debates, a shared set of meaningful values can be a good place to find some common ground,” said Julia Anas, Qualtrics chief people officer. “Every leader, employee and workplace is different, but if we can all rally around the basics — integrity, respect, safety and wellness — it’s going to enhance the employee experience and strengthen the organizational culture, even when we don’t agree about every issue.”
This study was fielded between April 7 and April 21. Respondents were selected from a randomized panel and considered eligible if they live in the United States, are at least 18 years of age and are employed full-time or part-time.