When a company engages in socially responsible activities, employees can benefit. Any effort made by a company to improve their local or global community constitutes corporate social responsibility. The most common acts of corporate social responsibility include donating money to charity, encouraging volunteerism among employees, and implementing environmentally friendly or ethical work practices.
Statistics indicate U.S. corporations give approximately $18 billion to non-profit organizations each year. Companies engaging in corporate social responsibility will often match any charitable contribution made by an employee to designated causes. Company led volunteer programs, including company-wide days of service, are visible acts of corporate social responsibility. Many employers offer both skill-based and non-skilled based volunteer opportunities.
Another type of corporate social responsibility exhibited by employers is the increased use of environmentally friendly practices. Efforts to reduce a company’s carbon footprint, including the creation of company recycling programs and paper-less initiatives, demonstrate a company’s commitment to improving society, as does a company’s commitment to ethical labor practices.
When a company engages in corporate social responsibility, it can have many positive benefits for its employees. Employees often find companies that demonstrate corporate social responsibility are more positive workplaces. When employees see their company engaging in philanthropic behavior, they often become more invested and engaged in their work, which results in employees finding meaning in their work. Research shows 60 percent of employees who expressed pride at their employer’s corporate social responsibility programs were engaged employees. Corporate social responsibility can also help an employee feel fulfilled with their employment.
Employees who volunteer together can develop team building skills that can be used in the workplace. Companies engaging in corporate social responsibility may see an increase in cooperative behaviors among their employees. Employees who believe their employers are doing the right thing become motivated to treat their co-workers in a more respectful and helpful way. Higher productivity of team members and increased creativity are often side effects of corporate social responsibility.
Corporate social responsibility also motivates workers to volunteer and donate more, which often leads to professional and personal growth of employees. Many employees first engage in charitable causes after becoming aware of the charitable work of their employers. Taking advantage of a company’s matching gift program or serving the community as part of group volunteerism can be a direct result of corporate social responsibility.
Other employers report higher employee retention rates after establishing corporate social responsibility programs. Employees are more likely to identify with the company they work for and are less likely to leave the company when the company engages in philanthropic work. Many individuals identify more with their company when it acts socially responsible than when the company focuses only on financial successes. Corporate social responsibility increases an employee’s overall commitment to the company. This can also make a company attractive to prospective employees who are often more eager to join a company that has a history of helping the local and global community.
With offices conveniently located in West Chester, Pennsylvania, the experienced Philadelphia business lawyers at MacMain Leinhauser proudly represent employers throughout Philadelphia and Chester County in a wide range of business matters. Call us today at 484-318-7106 to schedule a confidential consultation or submit an online inquiry form.