Czechs expect environmental protection and fair conditions of employees from large companies

Czechs expect large companies to protect the environment and create fair conditions for employees. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the emphasis has also increased on activities aimed at health care, support for the Czech economy and the fight against misinformation. According to people, socially responsible activities of companies should primarily have an impact in the Czech Republic. This emerges from a survey by Ipsos CSR & Reputation Research.

If a company is perceived as socially responsible, it positively strengthens the relationship of customers to it. More than half of the respondents admitted that it plays a role in purchasing decisions. At the same time, 65 percent of Czechs are willing to pay extra for a product that is socially responsible. The company's social responsibility also has a positive effect on employee loyalty, cooperation with suppliers and other entities.

While companies offering services should, according to the Czechs, focus more on the development of society and customer behavior, food chains should focus on their employees. "Tobacco companies and alcohol producers should especially compensate for the negative impact of their business on society, technology and energy companies should focus mainly on environmental issues," said Hana Vejborná, analyst and author of the study.

Environmental protection is required by 50 percent of the public from companies, fair behavior towards employees by 44 percent and 22 percent of people expect environmental protection. This is followed by, for example, a positive impact on the Czech economy, true communication with customers, business ethics or the fight against global warming.

27 percent of Czechs place more emphasis on health care activities than before the pandemic. 18 percent of respondents perceive the support of the economy as more important than before, the environment 17 percent and the fight against misinformation and the defense of democratic values ​​12 percent of people. "Community life, equality in society and humanitarian aid have receded into the background," statistics added.

The survey was conducted in December 2020, and was attended by 1,044 people.