Do you like where you work? What you do? …Why not?
I've mentioned before at LoanShak that I stopped working in the mortgage industry because it didn't agree with my ethics. I hated my job – I feared that the next client I brought in could get ripped off.
I couldn't do any real good for society where I was. So now I'm here, pestering you to do good things for society, and you're going to have to deal with me for a long time because I love this job. It agrees with my ethics, and I never have to see my co-workers (I'm kidding!). The three foot commute is also a big perk.
A few other companies are catching on to this too. "Westpac estimates that changes to its culture over recent years that have increased staff retention rates are saving it about $50 million worth of avoided costs a year." Source Sydney Morning Herald via article at Sox First.
The betterment of their culture is a side product of their ethics. Westpac's shareholders take a back seat to a total sustainability plan. In fact, Westpac's CEO David Morgan is so keen on social issues, his vision for 'life after Westpac' is that he "hopes to continue exerting influence, but in the not-for-profit sector." Source UNSW Faculty of Business.
To be perfectly frank, I believe everyone working for a company is responsible in some fashion for whatever damage that company does to the social bottom line. Any way you cut it, you are helping them do that damage. If you really want to do something good, go work for a company that does too. You can thank me later.
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