There is no right way to do the wrong thing. Ethical choices sometimes require sacrifice. This may not always lead to positive feelings for the decision-maker, but it should always lead to positive feelings for those affected by the decision-maker. – CHRISTOPHER GILBERT
For the current business landscape, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs have become an integral part of any organization’s business strategy. CSR programs are initiatives undertaken by companies to conduct their business in an ethical manner, taking into account their social, economic, or environmental impact.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs are becoming increasingly important in today’s world. In the companies I’ve worked for, CSR activities are the most likely to be remembered by employees, aside from the most beloved &/or the all-time hated supervisor, they say.
Whenever I chance upon former colleagues or ex co-workers, they would usually reminisce the good old times which would almost always be about how we trekked mountains to deliver food packs, when we built school chairs out of scrap wood pallet or how we renovated/re painted an almost dilapidated school building. Nobody ever said it was not worth our very tiring day.
In a known Japanese company we pioneered the implementation of the Dual Training System (DTS) as part of our CSR program. Technical students after their classroom instructions were allowed to do practical application of their skills learned such as soldering, electronics assembly & electrical installations. For this we were adjudged the best DTS program in the country. This program was replicated in other companies that I joined years later. It is still an ongoing program as it provides not only learning opportunities for vocational students but also increases the employability of student trainees in organizations that they train in.
In the American company I subsequently joined after a decade & a half later, aside from my job as an HR Country Leader, I was the designated Community Ambassador. We rolled out CSR programs specially at the height of the pandemic. The Covid related programs we launched was in partnership with surrounding communities. This helped keep. Together, we combined workplace protection & community hygiene kept our workers & their families always healthy & safe .
In another company, with the help of our vibrant OD team and HRBPs combined with the 100% support of the local management team, we endeavored to re-focus CSR programs on inclusivity, diversity & a respectful workplace. We saw quite a restive workplace become festive. The CSR programs became rallying points and became the joint advocacies of supposed protagonist.
In a carbonated beverage company in the city of San Fernando, Pampanga that is a consistent LGU CENRO & DOH awardee, through the able leadership of its EHS Manager for North Luzon area Mr Lainel Lacanilao, company partnered with ABS-CBN in recycling used engine oil. Each month, the 30+ drums of used oil, produced diesel biproduct of the that was distribute for free in identified informal settler communities nearby for their heating & fuel needs.
My then HRBP in an American company, Lea Janna Torres, who is now the HR plant manager in the food industry, pushed for the hiring of “non-verbal” (deaf mute) workers in an industry. It was a bold move & risk that she pushed me hard for because those with such impairment were then considered safety risk due to the lack hearing sense & speaking ability. Turns out, their being shielded from the outside noise makes them laser focused in their task. In terms of efficiency & productivity, this physical limitation became an advantage.
A townmate & schoolmate, Ruth Balingit-Angeles, who is the SVP for HR of a top food chain conglomerate, was my go to person at the height of the pandemic. At the most critical & difficult times of the pandemic, the CSR of this food chain giant was giving out food to medical frontliners. PGH, thru my fraternity brother Dr. Karl Saparra, reached out because due to the strict quarantine protocols, they were having difficulties on providing a steady food supply for doctors & nurses who were 36 hour shifts. My request for help was immediately approved through her facilitation. I was informed that it was the only time that PGH had an oversupply of “chicken joy”. Later on, it evolved into “pasalubong” for their children waiting anxiously for them at their home.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a commitment of a company &/or corporation to advocacies that they deem aligned to their company values. Workers are more likely to stay with a company they believe consistently live by these values. One cannot successfully advocate among the rank & file something that is not reflective of the actual behavior of top management. From a simple one time charity work or, advocating for equal opportunities or, supporting social movements such as inclusivity & diversity or, tackling environmental causes with the goal to reduce carbon footprint, these are perceived as great reasons to stay, if these are taken seriously, in its true letter & intent, by the lowliest to the highest ranked. This somehow reduces employee turnover because it is where everybody can be in the same footing
Data would show that employee turn over is at a very high mark specially with younger employees. A good CSR Program may help abate thus because they are more likely to choose a career and a place of work that is in synch with their own advocacies & principles. This is where a good CSR program has become a necessity. It has evolved into a retention tool. This is the era where an employee will look beyond his desk, the stack of documents in front of him or his angular desktop screen. They garner support and also increase employee satisfaction with retention being consequently strengthened. CSR programs make employees know & understand if the company they work for, promote & advocate for the things they care for. If aligned, both the company & employee are fully invested. The digital world has made workers today much more aware of the world, socially conscious of all kinds of issues & readily vocal about their personal goals & aspirations.
CSR practices also help companies mitigate risk by avoiding complicated situations. This includes mitigating if not completely eliminating actual or perceived bygone discriminatory practices against any employee groups, unwanted damage to natural resources, unethical or nefarious use of company funds, and activity that could lead to lawsuits worst protracted litigation.
As companies also strive to measure success beyond the bottom-line or financial results only, there is growing evidence that suggest that CSR programs can actually improve a company’s financial performance. This is because companies that are perceived as socially responsible are likely to experience increased sales, customer loyalty & favorable brand recognition because of its direct impact on society, nature and the community in which a business operate. CSR is an integral part of their brand image. Customers will be more likely to do business with brands they perceive to be more ethical. In this sense, CSR activities are both a marketing & a public relations tool.
Aside from these, some CSR programs can potentially reduce operational costs such as energy savings, waste reduction, efficient use of resources and employee turn-over. Investors closely look at a company’s CSR performance as a critical factor in their decision-making because those with good CSR practices are more often than not have better risk management and long-term sustainability.
For CSR initiatives, companies can play a significant role in building stronger communities. By investing in local programs supporting training & education, healthcare, and other social services, businesses can make a tangible difference in the quality of life for people in the areas where they operate. These efforts can help address social issues that reduce inequality, and promote inclusive growth. Strong communities, in turn, create a more stable and supportive environment for businesses to grow. When companies contribute to the welfare of the community, they foster a positive business environment that can lead to long-term success.
In the Business Process Outsourcing industry that I now navigate, our company, En Elle International Outsourcing Corp., as part of its CSR, partnered with California Technological Care (CTC), a San Francisco-based nonprofit dedicated to bridging the digital divide. The Training cum OJT program is designed to equip students, with essential technical skills on emerging technologies and be given first hand industry exposure. Upon it official launch, trainees, who will mostly come from nearby untapped & underserved communities, that after undergoing this program, will be in a position for future employment within the BPO sector.
Anchored on a vision to keep talent in the country, En Elle & CTC jointly endeavor to provide top-tier skills (AI, coding, web development, programming etc) to ably serve the outsourcing needs of businesses both local & international. This CSR Program will help customers scale their operations, focus on core activities, reduce complexities, and maintain profitability in the competitive global economy at the same time open doors to life-changing opportunities for individuals in the surrounding community. This is a pivotal step toward bridging the digital divide and creating a sustainable pipeline of skilled professionals ready to contribute to the BPO industry and beyond.
In conclusion, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs must reflect a global mindset. In this borderless, time unbounded & limitless work possibilities, it should no longer be used just to please stakeholders. It should define how all stakeholders should strive to become; ethical, respectful, responsible & accountable.
From the shareholders, to the consumer, the supplier, and to each individual employee and now the community, a good Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Program is MUST.
GOOD MORNING HARDWORKING PEOPLE! For comments & suggestions, you may email author [email protected] & follow in Facebook Herrie Raymond Rivera.