A new survey has found that more than three-quarters (77 percent) of adults would consider an employer’s culture before applying for a job there, and well over half (56 percent) say culture is more important than salary when it comes to job satisfaction. In addition to asking people the extent to which they value culture at work, the survey also uncovers the importance of culture and company mission to recruitment and retention, as well as the extent to which job seekers are now looking for employers whose values align with their own personal values.
The survey was conducted by Glassdoor, one of the world’s largest job and recruiting sites, of more than 5,000 adults across four countries: the United States, United Kingdom, France and Germany.
“Having a compelling mission, culture and values are critical when it comes to attracting and retaining top talent in a competitive job market — it is what differentiates each and every employer,” said Christian Sutherland-Wong, Glassdoor President and COO. “Across the countries we surveyed, it’s clear that job seekers are seeking more meaningful workplace experiences. Job seekers want to be paid fairly but they too want to work for a company whose values align with their own and whose mission they can fully get behind.”
Culture Is Prioritized
While the majority of adults place culture above salary when it comes to job satisfaction, the survey shows company culture matters significantly more among younger adults. Millennials are more likely to place culture above salary than those age 45 and older in two of the four countries surveyed (65 percent vs. 52 percent age 45+).
Company culture can be a critical factor for job seekers today when applying for a job and when deciding whether to stay with a company. More than three-quarters (77 percent) of adults would consider a company’s culture before applying for a job, suggesting that a negative perception around culture could significantly impact ability and efficiency to fill open jobs. Nearly three-quarters (73 percent) of adults would not apply to a company unless its values aligned with their own personal values. For companies fighting for talent today, this highlights the importance for employers to clearly define and communicate their values, as well as demonstrate they are living up to them.
When it comes to retention, nearly two in three (65 percent) employees say their company’s culture is one of the main reasons for staying in their job. Just over seven in ten (71 percent) global employees would look for a job elsewhere if their current company’s culture deteriorates.
Recruiting Needs To Be Mission-Minded
An overwhelming nearly nine in ten (89 percent) adults believe it is important for an employer to have a clear mission and purpose. Nearly eight in ten (79 percent) would consider a company’s mission before applying for a job there, demonstrating just how important a clear mission is to recruitment. Two-thirds (66 percent) of employees believe people are more motivated and engaged because of the strong company mission where they work, and 64 percent say their company’s mission is one of the main reasons they stay in their job.
In a sign that company mission may be top of mind for job seekers, 77 percent of adults believe employers are becoming more mission-driven to recruit and retain talent.
Complete Results
Complete results are available in the Glassdoor Mission & Culture Survey Supplement, which details employee sentiment around Mission & Culture in the workplace and the importance of both on job seekers and employees.
