Original ethical entrepreneur backs ethical careers service

The original ethical businesswoman and entrepreneur, Body Shop founder Anita Roddick, has given her support and backing to a new Ethical Careers Service.

Roddick explains, ìThe Ethical Careers Service has been set up to help those who have an active conscience and who have made the decision to work in a way that doesnít compromise their fundamental beliefs.î

ìUntil now thereís been very little help and support for graduates wanting an alternative to working for what they perceive to be an unethical company. Each individual has their own perceptions of what is and isnít ethical. The Careers Service has been designed to inform, advise and support individuals through the process of deciding on and establishing an ethical career.

Anita continues: ìHaving an ethical career doesnít mean having to compromise your earning power. The potential for rewards, both personally and financially, can be found within the ethical sector.î

Ethical Career Services manager, Emma Farley, says that traditional careers guidance has usually tended to overlook the ethical sector, ìIndeed many careers services probably donít even know what the ethical sector is. Research statistics show that nine out of ten graduates are making decisions on whether or not to accept a job based on how ethical the organisation is. This is a rising trend, itís not a fad.î

Emma added that the Service is not a recruitment agency, but aims to showcase the diversity of career options available to those seeking to earn a living through right livelihood. She concluded that ethical jobs could range from working with companies that recycle their office waste and look after the well being of their staff to those practicing corporate social responsibility and demonstrating their commitment to putting something back into the community.

The student campaigning network People & Planet manages the Ethical Careers Service. People & Planet is a not-for-profit organisation. Proceeds from subscriptions help to cover the costs of running the Ethical Careers Service.

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