Yesterday the world celebrated World Kindness Day. In fact, values such as fairness, kindness, ethics, justice and diversity are fundamental attributes for employers today, according to a survey carried out by Voya Financial.
Specifically, 93% of people polled said they want to work for a company that supports “spreading kindness”. In fact, 93% also reported that companies in the finance industry should take a stand on treating all Americans with “respect and kindness”.
Around 80% said corporate philanthropy is one way that a company can demonstrate its commitment to acts of kindness. A further, nine in 10 Americans (90%) said it is important for companies to encourage employee kindness through charitable gift matching, paid volunteering opportunities and other programmes.
The post-election US survey carried out by the finance company found that the majority of Americans feel kindness is also the most important personal value an individual should exhibit. In fact, almost eight in 10 of those polled (78%) ranked kindness as the highest value, followed by fairness (71%), justice (67%), ethics (63%) and diversity (47%).
RESPECT & INCLUSION
The Voya study also found that nearly all Americans (97%) agree acts of kindness can help make the world a better place. Additionally, the majority (94%) feel the need to come together and unite more.
“Being kind every day is not just the right thing to do for each other. Being kind fosters a shared, community spirit of respect and inclusion that can lift up society,” stated Rodney O Martin, Jr, Chairman and CEO of Voya Financial.
“Voya and its employees share a commitment to the communities in which we live and work – and to enhancing the lives of people around the world,” added Martin, referring to ways that the company is promoting a “brighter and kinder future”.
These efforts include the Voya Cares programme; Voya’s kindness campaign, in collaboration with 9-year-old Lily Allison and singer-songwriter Mandy Harvey; the impact of Voya’s employee volunteerism and charitable giving; and employee donation gift matching from Voya Foundation.
Voya Financial said it encourages its employees to contribute to their communities. The company provides full-time employees with 40 hours of paid volunteer time each year and Voya Foundation – the company’s charitable giving arm – matches employee charitable giving up to $5,000 per employee for eligible nonprofits.
DOING THE RIGHT THING
Did you know employees at organisations with boards that focus on ethics and compliance are 1.6x more likely to behave fairly and do the right thing; even if it’s not in their personal best interest? Click here to read more.
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