CSR of the company - to what extent does it affect employees?

Companies that degrade the environment, offer unhealthy products or treat their employees unfairly are perceived less well. The answer to the increasing expectations of customers and the market is CSR - corporate social responsibility. Companies professing this philosophy commit to business activities, taking into account the well-being of employees, contractors, partners, local community, customers and the surrounding environment. The main goal is to implement the idea of ​​sustainable development by finding a balance between efficiency and profitability and social benefit. The social involvement of enterprises should be consistent with their strategy, planned and long-term.

CSR in Poland

CSR in Poland is often limited to donating funds to foundations - a bit by accident and often to the public. It is not enough to be a philanthropist to meet the principles of corporate social responsibility. Enterprises are expected to take actions that emphasize the company's presence in non-commercial areas and help solve a social problem. Orientation on material gains misses the goal of this philosophy. This is what distinguishes CSR from public relations.

Unfortunately, for years there has been a belief that the CSR model can only be implemented in corporations or large companies. Nothing could be more wrong. Nowhere as in small businesses is there room for introducing and testing principles closer to people.

Internal CSR

In small companies, usually everyone knows each other and it is easier to control the processes taking place inside. They are based on trust, flexibility and appreciation of the value of employees. Such companies focus on building good relationships in the team, which affects the efficiency and organization of tasks. This business model is called Teal Management.

The CSR management model is characterized by several principles:

• the most important thing is progress - the company does not expect perfection from employees

• no competition - management does not judge individuals, teamwork

• if the project has failed, the company looks for the cause of the failure, not the culprits

• no control - the basis of work is trust

• self-organization of work - instead of issuing orders self-development of employees.

The implementation of CSR should begin inside the company. It is the employees who are the first link with which customers and the environment contact. It is they who build the image of it outside. Therefore, it is from them that changes should begin. Making employees aware of them and focusing them around one common idea is the most important step in increasing the company's value. At the core of internal CSR is the awareness that the ability, enthusiasm and commitment of employees are the most valuable resources in a knowledge-based economy. Good practices in this area include: on facilitating work for young mothers and pregnant women. This is achieved, for example, by flexible working hours, reduced employment, and remote work. Moreover, mechanisms are introduced to ensure the employees equal opportunities for development and promotion, irrespective of gender, age and nationality. Increasingly, enterprises also support employee education. Such activities increase job satisfaction and identification with the company. It is more beneficial for the workplace to keep valuable employees and reduce the costs associated with recruiting and training new ones.

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Management by values

When it comes to the turquoise management model, it is worth paying special attention to the company's values. It is good if employees who are employed in the enterprise identify with them. This arouses their greater involvement in the performance of tasks. When they feel that they are part of the company, they commit themselves to its development. In addition, jobseekers often pay a lot of attention to this element of the company, placing it above the amount of remuneration. It is also a chance to attract new customers who also adhere to similar principles.

The art of giving

The easiest form of CSR to implement, bringing at the same time quick image benefits, is the social commitment of enterprises. Hence, many companies implement educational programs, social campaigns regarding road safety and health protection. A significant part of the activities concerns equalizing the chances of children from different backgrounds and marginalized people on the labor market.

A popular form of companies' involvement in activities for the benefit of society is employee volunteering and projects addressed to the closest local communities. The manifestation of the most mature and conscious CSR are actions towards market participants - consumers, suppliers and business partners. Relationships with them increase sales and improve the quality of services or goods, as well as help build trust and a strong position in the market. For this purpose, companies organize, for example, training for contractors in the field of supply chain management, effective use of commercial space or contacts with customers.

Green CSR

Another area of ​​application of CSR is pro-ecological activities. They are media-friendly and quickly gain the trust and loyalty of customers. They cease to be a fashion and become a requirement for business. Many companies conduct educational programs about the dangers of disturbing the natural balance and promoting pro-ecological behavior. Others focus on implementing integrated programs to reduce the consumption of electricity, water, paper, reduce carbon dioxide emissions and segregate waste from own operations. One of the popular activities is restoring nature resources by planting trees. Eco-office projects aimed at reducing the use of paper, energy and water are becoming more and more common.

The implementation of CSR in the company is not expensive. The financial outlays related to this idea are directly proportional to the commitment and skills of the management staff of the organization. Responsible application of CSR philosophy and tools brings tangible results in the future.