Senior executives are prioritising environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors when making career decisions, while junior employees are pushing for stronger social commitments, according to new research.
The latest report, conducted by Economist Impact in association with Kyocera Document Solutions, highlights a growing generational divide in workplace sustainability priorities, with junior employees emphasising social commitments while executives prioritise overall ESG reputation. Contrary to the widespread belief that sustainability is mainly a concern for younger professionals, the report finds that 41% of senior executives factor an employer’s ESG reputation into their job decisions, compared to only 24% of junior employees.
Even more striking, the research found that 43% of senior executives are willing to accept a lower salary to work for an environmentally and socially responsible company – more than double the 18% of junior employees who express the same willingness. The survey, conducted across major financial hubs including London, New York, Singapore, Sydney and Tokyo, suggests that for top leadership, ESG has evolved beyond a corporate buzzword into a competitive differentiator in career advancement.
GENERATIONAL DIVIDE ON ESG MATTERS
While senior executives are making employment choices based on ESG credentials, junior employees are voicing concerns about the implementation of social sustainability initiatives within organisations. Nearly half (47%) of junior employees cite weak leadership engagement as a key barrier to sustainability efforts, signalling a disconnect between corporate ESG strategies and on-the-ground execution.
Younger professionals are particularly focused on social sustainability, including human rights and fair working practices within supply chains. Only 36% of junior employees believe their organisation effectively upholds workers’ rights, compared to 45% of senior executives, highlighting a significant perception gap.
DRIVING SUSTAINABILITY EDUCATION
Despite these differences, both executives and junior staff agree on one key aspect: the importance of employee education in driving sustainability forward. The study reveals that 80% of senior executives and 81% of junior employees believe workplace sustainability education is crucial to meeting 2030 sustainability goals.
Moreover, both groups view investor relations as the primary beneficiary of corporate ESG efforts, followed by productivity gains and net-zero objectives over the next 12 to 18 months. This consensus suggests that businesses should integrate sustainability training into corporate development programmes to ensure alignment across all levels of the workforce.
BRIDGING THE GENERATIONAL DIVIDE
To close the gap between leadership and junior employees, the report recommends a more inclusive approach to sustainability governance. Encouraging junior employees to contribute to ESG strategy development and ensuring transparency in decision-making can help foster a culture where sustainability is a shared responsibility rather than a top-down directive.
“Corporate sustainability cannot succeed as a top-down directive alone. While senior executives set ESG strategies, junior employees are closest to operational realities and often hold the insights needed for effective implementation,” stated Jonathan Birdwell, Head of Policy and Insights at Economist Impact. “Companies that engage employees at all levels – by embedding sustainability into job performance, fostering collaboration, and creating opportunities for bottom-up initiatives – will be better positioned to drive meaningful, lasting change.”
ALIGNING ESG WITH WORKFORCE PRIORITIES
As sustainability continues to shape workforce expectations, businesses that integrate ESG considerations into their corporate culture stand to gain a competitive edge. Transparency, performance incentives linked to sustainability goals, and employee engagement at all levels will be crucial for organisations aiming to attract and retain top talent in an era where ESG is more than a compliance measure – it is a strategic imperative.
Click here to download the full research.
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