Where & What Type of WorkFinding the Right Organisation to Work For
A question of ethics...For most graduates, the appeal of a potential employer will be affected by a variety of factors, such as size, location, employee conditions and their market position. For an increasing number of graduates, an organisation’s corporate ethics will also be significant. Will the level of care an organisation takes with its impact on the environment, employees, community, and the future influence your decision to work with it? How can you judge employers on these issues? Terms you need to know
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR):
Triple Bottom Line Reporting:
Sustainability:
Global Citizenship:
Stakeholder Engagement:
Enlightened self-interest: Your turn It is valuable for job seekers to think through their views on the above concepts. A clear understanding of CSR in any workplace will help you think broadly, innovatively and strategically. It is also worth clearly assessing your own values. What do you value and what kind of impact would you like to make in your career? Which areas of CSR do you feel strongly about?
Reflect on the organisation you are looking at. What is its core business and how does it impact on the environment and the community? Are its products, processes, services in alignment with your own values? Research the organisation’s website. Look for values/mission statements, annual reports and other measures and reporting. Are the CSR initiatives strategic and integrated? Is the organisation benchmarking itself using robust frameworks such as the Corporate Responsibility Index and the Global Reporting Initiative? Look closely at workplace practices, taking note of gender mix, diversity policies, staff retention rates, staff community volunteering and professional development. Talk to employers at Careers Fairs, employer events and even job interviews. Ask them questions; get the conversation going on these important issues. By asking questions about CSR an organisation learns that this is an important driver in attracting new staff. It is also an opportunity for them to showcase their initiatives, and receive some positive reinforcement. Some suggested CSR websites
www.corporate-responsibility.com.au
www.eowa.gov.au
www.aussi.net.au
www.reputex.com.au
www.moss.org.au
www.careerethics.com.au
www.corporateregister.com
And finally Keep informed; put your well developed research and analytical skills to good use! That doesn’t mean believing everything you read. Issues are complex and there are multiple perspectives, so try and be as informed as possible before making judgements. Article written by Rosemary Sainty, Career Development Manager, University of Sydney and Founder, Career Ethics and was based on the project 'Ethics and Graduate Recruitment' which was awarded a 2006 Innovations Grant by the National Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (NAGCAS). This article is taken from the 2007-08 edition of Graduate Careers Australia's employer directory Graduate Opportunities . © 2007 Graduate Careers Australia |