9 out of 10 Singapore workers surveyed will work for a company that is ethically and socially responsible

• 80% Singapore workers surveyed are more likely to want to work for companies that are environmentally responsible.
• 66% Singapore respondents consider an organization’s reputation for ethical conduct as a very important factor when deciding where to work.
• 53% Singapore respondents will accept lower pay or a small role in an organization with sound corporate reputation.

Singapore, November 5, 2009 – 91% of the Singapore workers surveyed are more likely to work for an organization that is ethically and socially responsible - higher than the Asia Pacific average of 87%.

According to the latest Kelly Global Workforce Index (KGWI), this ranks Singapore higher than most of its regional counterparts including Malaysia (90%), Indonesia (90%), and Hong Kong (86%).

Conducted by Kelly Services, a global leader in human resources solutions and workforce management services, the KGWI obtained the views of nearly 100,000 people in 34 countries, including about 3,000 in Singapore earlier this year.

In Singapore, 94% of the Baby Boomer workers (born between 1946 and 1964) surveyed are more likely to work for an ethically and socially responsible organization, compared to 91% of their Gen X (1965-1980) and Gen Y (1981-2000) counterparts.

The Singapore workers surveyed are also mostly environmentally conscious, with 80% of them more likely to work for organizations that are envrionmenally responsible. 66% of the respondents will also consider an organization’s reputation for ethical conduct as a very important factor when deciding where to work.

Overall, more than half of all Singapore workers surveyed are also prepared to accept a pay or a lesser role with an employer with good corporate reputation, such as being environmentally friendly, and care for their employees and outside stakeholders such as the community. More Baby Boomers (76%) surveyed are willing do so than their   Gen X (59%) and Gen Y (50%) counterparts.

Said Mr. Dhirendra Shantilal, Senior Vice President-Asia Pacific, Kelly Services, “This survey shows that employeees prioritize corporate transparency, accountability and social responsibility when deciding where to work. This is important for employers when hiring new talent, as prospective employees take pride not only in what they do while at work but in what their organization stands for and how it is perceived by the entire community. It provides a sense of fulfilment to be part of an enterprise that is focused not only on performance outcomes but also on larger social goals.”

Amongst the key findings of the survey:

• Baby Boomers in Singapore are the most particular with an organization’s ethical and social responsibility among the three age groups:
  • 89% of them are more likely to work for a company that is considered environmentally responsible, compared with 83% and 79% of the Gen X and Gen Y respondents respectively.
  • 74% of the Singapore Baby Boomers survey would consider an organization’s ethical conduct as a very important factor, compared with their Gen X (71%) and Gen Y (63%) counterparts.
• In deciding where to work, 89% of Singapore workers surveyed would consider employers with policies and initiatives to help reduce the impact of global warming as very or somewhat important. This is below the Asia Pacific average of 92%.
• However, a higher proportion of Singapore respondents will consider less pay or a smaller role if it means working in an organization with sound corporate reputation, compared with its Asia Pacific counterparts, including Malaysia (50%), Indonesia (48%), Hong Kong (48%) and Thailand (44%).

The Kelly Global Workforce Index is a survey revealing opinions about work and the workplace from a generational viewpoint. Results of the current findings from across Kelly’s global operations in North America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific will be published throughout 2009 in a series of six releases.

About Kelly Services
Kelly Services, Inc. (NASDAQ: KELYA, KELYB) is a world leader in workforce management services and human resources solutions.  Kelly offers a comprehensive array of temporary staffing, permanent placement, outsourcing, and consulting services.  Kelly serves clients around the globe and provides employment to 650,000 employees annually.  Revenue in 2008 was $5.5 billion.  Visit www.kellyservices.com.