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Indicators

ESG: Environmental, Social and Governance

What We Measure
We measure employees' perspectives on ESG issues. ESG refers to criteria for evaluating organizational success beyond profit -- the extent to which a company fosters long-term sustainability and social responsibility.
U.S. ESG
My organization makes a positive impact on people and the planet.
Strongly Agree
30%
2
Why it matters

Why Does the Employee Voice Matter in ESG Reporting?

ESG metrics redefine success in business, moving organizations beyond simply creating wealth toward making the world, the planet and its people better over the long term. Leaders should measure and include the employee voice in their ESG reporting because initiatives and external communications regarding environmental, social or governance efforts need to reflect what their employees are thinking and feeling.

E Environmental
S Social
G Governance

What We Measure in the U.S.

For the U.S., Gallup measures the country's ESG trends using our People and Planet 5 survey items. Although we include these items only in our U.S. Gallup Panel workforce studies (not yet in the Gallup World Poll), these items are relevant for organizations across the world. Therefore, we make these items available to all organizations, and we encourage leaders to add these items to their current employee surveys so they can begin to track organizational trends.

Impact on People and the Planet E

My organization makes a positive impact on people and the planet.

Respect S

At work, I am treated with respect.

Development S

There is someone at work who encourages my development.

Wellbeing S

My organization cares about my overall wellbeing.

Ethics and Integrity G

If I raised a concern about ethics and integrity, I am confident my employer would do what is right.

The People and Planet 5 survey is licensed to the world for free under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.


What We Measure Globally and Regionally

Globally and regionally, Gallup also reports how citizens feel their country at large, versus their employer, is being impacted by ESG issues, using the three indicators below.

Environment E

In [country], are you satisfied or dissatisfied with efforts to preserve the environment?

Respect S

Were you treated with respect all day yesterday?

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Perceptions of Corruption G

Is corruption widespread within businesses located in [country], or not?

Gallup’s People and Planet 5 survey items are Gallup’s contribution to the science of ESG. We recommend that all organizations add these items to their current employee surveys, on their chosen platform. These five survey questions:

  • are written by Gallup experts and scientifically validated
  • have been proven to be predictive of positive organizational outcomes
  • allow for global benchmarking

Our intent is for the People and Planet 5 items to become the global standard for credible comparisons of nonfinancial ESG metrics related to the voice of the employee.

Results for the Gallup poll of U.S. employees are based on self-administered web surveys of a random sample of adults who are aged 18 and older, working full time or part time for organizations in the United States, and members of the Gallup Panel. Gallup uses probability-based, random sampling methods to recruit its Panel members. Gallup weighted the obtained samples to correct for nonresponse. Nonresponse adjustments were made by adjusting the sample to match the national demographics of gender, age, race, Hispanic ethnicity, education and region. Demographic weighting targets were based on the most recent Current Population Survey figures for the aged 18 and older U.S. population. In addition to sampling error, question wording and practical difficulties in conducting surveys can introduce error or bias into the findings of public opinion polls.

Global and regional ESG data are collected using the Gallup World Poll, which has conducted surveys of the world’s adult population, using randomly selected samples, since 2005. The survey is administered annually in person or by telephone, covering more than 160 countries and areas since its inception. Gallup’s global engagement data reflect the responses of adults, aged 15 and older, who are employed for any number of hours by an employer.

In line charts on this webpage, Gallup labels some data points with a year and month. Years that have only one data point labeled with the year and "Jan" (abbreviated for "January") reflect annual survey results. Years that have one data point labeled with a specific month besides January or that have multiple data points labeled with specific months reflect results obtained during the noted month(s). When Gallup’s survey field dates for one data point occur in more than one month, Gallup labels the data point with the ending month.

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Next Steps

How Does Your Workplace Compare?

Global and regional data tell a story -- but the story of your organization is different. Check out the option below for your next step:

Ensure your ESG reporting includes the voice of the employee. Use our People and Planet 5 survey items to start measuring and strengthening your ESG strategy and reporting. These items are proven to be predictive of positive organizational outcomes.

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