Things to consider in your job search

1. Employers, whether private corporations, public services or charities, will now often tell anyone prepared to listen about their ethical policies, and how much they care. But for some, the talk is just that. So, listen to what an employer doesn't tell you, as well as what it does.

2. Don't presume a charity or NGO has got ethical policies sorted. They may be better than many companies, but that doesn't mean, say, a human rights organisation will have cutting edge environmental policies.

3. Does the organisation boast the logo of a company or charity to endorse their ethical claims. There are various organisations that deliver a kind of MOT on environmental and social policies. “There are a lot of companies which find it very difficult to pass our tests. They are incredibly detailed and we check every single area of business before we award our standard,” said Leo Martin, co-founder of ethical checker GoodCorporation.

4. Has the company received any awards for any innovative schemes or long running commitment to implementing a particular policy? The government backed charity Business in the Community, which helps companies become more socially responsible, grants two awards: the "Big Tick" and "Awards for Excellence". It also manages a Corporate Responsibility Index, which companies sign up to voluntarily.

5. Large companies on either the FTSE100 or FTSE250 are eligible to apply to be on the FTSE4Good index, which lists companies committed to ethical policies and refuses to allow those involved in murky practices to join. For smaller companies, the "Community Mark" is awarded to firms with strong community involvement.

6. If the information you are after is not immediately available, it does not necessarily spell trouble, especially if you are looking into a small company which may not have enough resources to promote its activities.


At the interview

It may seem like a daunting prospect to give a prospective employer the third degree on what they are doing to save the planet, or whether they have any links with corrupt regimes. But any organisation that is genuinely committed to striving towards being ethically sound will welcome questions, even tough ones, on what exactly they are doing to achieve this.

“I knew enough about the company before I was interviewed to know they were one of the leaders in the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) field,” says Gemma Crosthwaite-Eyre, 24, who joined accountancy giant KPMG's graduate training scheme in 2002. “But I think like many people looking for their first job, I was more focused on proving I was a good candidate, rather than grilling them about what good they were doing.”

Once in, Gemma took part in a CSR programme and won an award — two weeks in Madagascar researching the impact of fishing on sharks.

“If I was looking for another job now, I would want to know how much employees are involved in their CSR schemes. I think that's the real test. And I definitely wouldn't shy away from asking more awkward questions.”


What to ask

Environment: Many companies now recycle paper, but do you also extend this to other areas of waste? Do you have an environment policy? Do you strive towards being carbon neutral? Do you measure your emissions?

Clean money: A company can make all the right noises about being ethically sound while secretly investing in companies involved in corrupt regimes or arms trading. What do you do to ensure you invest your money ethically? There are organisations that monitor where a company's money, including investments in pension schemes, ends up. Do you use one? Do you offer an ethical pension scheme?

Trading and purchasing: Do you have a policy towards suppliers, or an ethical purchasing policy? Lengthy supply chains can bury connections to dubious practises.

Employees: Do you run any volunteering schemes, or have a Give As You Earn scheme? What flexi-time policies do you have for parents? Do you have a written equal opportunities policy?

Corporate Social Responsibility: Do you have a CSR policy? Is there a dedicated member of staff in charge of implementing it? Is it run by marketing, or a dedicated department? What opportunities are there for staff from other departments to get involved?

Auditing: Biting the bullet and producing environmental and social audits, called reporting, are a good indication of ethical activities, but not all companies do this. Do you have a social or environmental report? Are employees encouraged to read it?

If you get a chance, ask current employees what they make of the company's approach. If they do not have any ethical policies yet, but are committed to introducing some, then perhaps that's your cue to get a foot in the door, and get them started.


Ethical Corporation
www.ethicalcorp.com

Corporate Watch
www.corporatewatch.org.uk

Business in the Community
www.bitc.org.uk

FTSE4Good
www.ftse4good.com