July 21, 2008 - Attention managers: Three-quarters of employees say their company doesn't spend enough on corporate responsibility training, and nine in ten say they could be better prepared to deal with sustainability issues on the job, according to a new survey.

The survey, conducted by Fresh Marketing, finds that 54% of employees still feel confused about how environmental and social impacts are addressed in their company. Such confusion is hardly surprising, the report suggests, given that 83% of survey respondents say their companies lack metrics for assessing corporate responsibility performance.

"It's a new era for business: More and more business leaders recognize that their company's future is increasingly intertwined with the needs and demands of society," according to the report. "What many executives don't understand is how best to manage that changing relationship. Employees often feel like they are swimming against the tide."

And what executives don't know, employees are learning for themselves. The research suggests that employee education on sustainability issues is becoming a grassroots movement in the corporate world. Employees are taking it upon themselves to educate their peers by developing videos and podcasts, writing articles for company newsletters, and hosting seminars, the survey shows.

Respondents rank GE, HSBC, Intel, Johnson & Johnson, Marks & Spencer, Nike, Patagonia, Starbucks, Timberland, Unilever, and Wal-Mart as the top socially responsible companies.

Download 2008 Corporate Sustainability Employee Report here(PDF).

Looking for office-tested strategies to engage employees on sustainability? Read this interview with Joyce LaValle of InterfaceFLOR.