2022 Switzerland: ESG in the Workplace

Having a clear strategy that promotes Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) initiatives is no longer just an option: increased scrutiny from investors, customers and employees alike have turned those issues into a business imperative for any company aiming for success in today’s new market realities.  

But how much of this is true for Swiss businesses and how is this affecting them? Are ESG policies a decisive factor for Swiss candidates and employees when choosing a company to work for? To gain better insights, Michael Page interviewed 150+ decision makers in Swiss companies of different sizes, more than 90% of them being C-level executives. Here is what we found out:

ESG matters more than ever: 8 out of 10 candidates prefer employers with an ESG policy 

Organisations are starting to realise the considerable benefits that a strong ESG stance can have: More than just a trend, promoting and implementing ESG initiatives can be instrumental when faced with one of their biggest challenges: attracting and retaining top talent. According to our study, 80 % of jobseekers said they would choose employers with an ESG policy (ahead of those who don’t).  

As employees and top talent take increased notice of their company’s climate policies, sustainability and social responsibility, it has become essential for companies to better align with their personal values and beliefs.  

Having a strong ESG strategy can become a powerful tool for organisations trying to build a more attractive Employee Value Proposition and differentiate themselves. And Swiss decision makers seems to agree with this statement - 96% of them said they were considering ESG as part of their employer branding or HR strategy or planning on including it.

ESG policies: less words, more action.  

In a tight hiring market, a clear ESG policy seems to also become paramount for organisations to ensure their competitiveness: 70% of Swiss companies in our study declared having set ESG as a focus in 2022. 

But the policy must be lived: according to our study, 37% of companies interviewed have at least 1 person fully dedicated solely to the implementation of ESG topics within their organisation. 

The results highlight that we are at a turning point for ESG policy, with businesses having recognised its importance and working actively to implement a strategy across their organisation. 

Learn more about the state of ESG in the workplace in Switzerland by downloading our infographic and read the full results of our research. 

Building a better business, together. 

At Michael Page, we are strongly committed to accelerating the ESG agenda among our customers so that we can truly create positive impact and value, together.  

Are you looking to hire top talents? Our recruiters can help you attract the best talent for your business. Contact us.