Global workers prioritize purpose over pay in 2025 outlook
FLORIDA, UNITED STATES — Employees are increasingly seeking meaningful work that extends beyond traditional job responsibilities and contributes to societal well-being.
This trend is particularly pronounced among younger workers, with a Deloitte survey showing that an overwhelming majority of Gen Z (86%) and millennial (89%) professionals prioritize purpose in their career choices.
Impactful initiatives at InvoiceCloud
InvoiceCloud’s chief people officer, Jessi Marcoff, emphasizes the importance of connecting daily tasks to broader societal impact.
The company has implemented innovative approaches to demonstrate this connection, including the production of case study videos. A notable example features their collaboration with Alaska Village Electric Cooperative, showcasing how their services support essential utilities in remote Alaskan communities.
This impact mirrors Deloitte’s survey findings that around 45% of workers have already quit a job or plan to do so over climate concerns. More than 70% of respondents stated that they consider a prospective employer’s environmental policies when job hunting. For 25% of Gen Z and millennials, this has influenced their decision to accept or reject a job offer.
BPO industry drives social change with holistic innovations
The finalists from Outsource Accelerator’s Outsource Impact Review (OIR) 2024 have raised the bar for corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry, adopting holistic strategies to address societal challenges.
These initiatives span education, workforce welfare, and community development, reflecting a commitment to creating multidimensional solutions.
This year, 82,808 volunteer hours were recorded, a 73.3% increase from 2023, reflecting the industry’s deepening commitment to community involvement.
Financially, the sector contributed $821,430 to social causes, with companies prioritizing hands-on engagement. While financial donations and resources dedicated to social impact saw a drop from the $5.5 million recorded in 2023, this shift underscores a focus on volunteerism and active participation. The programs benefitted 718,267 individuals, illustrating the profound reach of the industry’s CSR efforts.
Strategic employee engagement
The strategy of highlighting real-world impact has proven effective in boosting employee morale and retention.
A Yale study previously revealed the willingness of some to accept less pay for greater moral satisfaction. Over half of recent business school graduates would take lower salaries to work for environmentally responsible companies.
Moreover, younger workers demand a stronger corporate stance on social issues. According to the Purpose Pulse 2024 report, over half (53%) of Gen Z and Millennials now expect companies to take a stronger stance on social issues, such as race riots in the UK or abortion rights in the U.S. This marks a substantial increase from 39% in 2021.
Charline Merieau, a founding partner at Root Cause, urged companies to focus on “partnership and coalitions that work toward common goals,” while Phil Riggins, founder of The Brand & Reputation Collective, stated that purpose-driven action is essential for gaining the trust of this new generation.
HR experts, like Sarah Kerr of Adviser Plus, warn that failing to meet these expectations may lead to a talent deficit. They suggest that companies assess and update policies to attract and retain young talent.
