Individual Social Responsibility

The obligation of an organization’s management towards the welfare and interests of the society in which it operates.

It is through careful attention to impacts on society and the environment that organizations achieve sustainability. Behaving in a transparent and ethical way ensures an approach that helps protect the long-term success of society and the environment.

What does it mean?  It is about an individual becoming responsible in his/her actions that have to affect on communities outside his/her immediate circle.  The immediate circle being family and friends.

What is ISR?  The individual social responsibility includes the engagement of each person toward the community where he lives, which can be expressed as an interest towards what’s happening in the community, as well as in the active participation in die solving of some of the local problems.  The individual social responsibility also could be expressed in making donations for significant society causes – social, cultural or ecological.

Is ISR practical?  It has to be as the trends show that the biggest growth for big charitable organizations in the world is coming through individuals and not through corporations and governments.

What is being ethical?  Ethics is a set of beliefs about right and wrong.  The beliefs are dependent on personal experience, family background, religious background, and education.  The integrity of your beliefs is an important element of being ethical.

Is ISR practical, especially the ethical bit?  Difficult but possible, making decisions based on what is good for greatest number of people.  Promoting individual self-interest as long as it does not harm others.  Making decisions with a belief that everyone has a fundamental right that should be respected and protected.  Making decisions which treat everyone fairly and consistently.

I know CSR, how is ISR different? 

  • ISR is at the roots of CSR because a corporate comprises of individuals and hence determines the social responsibility culture it follows.
  • As CSR is being increasingly viewed as a tool to push wares a greater need for ISR is expected.
  • The example of kiva.org in giving people the power to empower is a big indicator of the shift.
  • If ISR becomes a way of life CSR may be an automatic end result.

ISR is a tool for social change, powerful and practical

Sources:

“The Inconvenient truth about corporate fundraising” by Sean Triner

www.sofli.org

Workshop for Civic Initiatives Foundation (WCIF), Bulgaria, a position statement on Social Responsibility.

http://www.wcif-bg.org/en/sr

 

Small things in life to keep you going

“You’re looking for solutions that work for everyone in the company. While it’s true that you can’t please everyone all of the time, giving people choices, rather than a rigid set of rules to follow, will ensure a feeling of empowerment across teams.”

Keep happiness in mind

A happy employee is a productive employee, and it’s an entrepreneur’s job to ensure that they are caring for their staff.

“Above all, keep in mind that a business is a collection of people,” Branson says. “If your people are not happy and healthy, they your enterprise’s prognosis isn’t good enough. But if you make sure they have the time and support they need, you’ll set them and your company up for success in the long term.”

(Richard Branson)

Balance in the workplace

Work-life balance involves juggling workplace stress with the daily pressures of family, friends, and self. Modern employees demand greater control over their lives and a bigger say in the structure of their jobs. According to a recent Business Information Review publication, “The search for work-life balance is a process in which people seek to change things in accordance with changes in their own priorities, physical, psychological or both, and these can be triggered in their turn by factors such as: age; changes in working conditions; the demands of new technology; and poor management.”

Studies have shown that employees who have a positive work-life balance do a better job at work, so promoting this balance is beneficial to individuals and the company. This is a practical guide for employers who want to promote a healthy work-life balance for their teams.

Company Outings

One of the best ways to boost employee morale and help workers get to know each other in a non-stressful capacity is by offering an occasional company outing.

For example, you could organize a company-paid lunch either to be catered into the office or at a favorite group-friendly restaurant nearby. Happy hours, holiday parties, birthday celebrations, and park days are other fun ways to get out of the office and bond in a non-traditional setting.

Sources :For more discussion on all things related to employee wellbeing, check out the Disruptors section of Virgin.com

Corporate Social Responsibility

Ever wondered what social responsibility mean for a company and the success they strive after? Here are a couple of interesting facts.

Corporate social responsibility (CSR)

One of the most important business ethics quality for an organization to become successful.   The reputation of an organization is very important and implementing social responsibility can increase positive satisfaction results towards stakeholders and customers.

Different organizations have framed different definitions – although there is considerable common ground between them. CSR is about how companies manage the business processes to produce an overall positive impact on society.

A business’s CSR can encompass a wide variety of tactics, from giving away a portion of a company’s proceeds to charity, to implementing “greener” business operations.

There are a few categories of social responsibility that many of today’s businesses are practicing:

  1. Environmental efforts:One primary focus of corporate social responsibility is the environment.
  2. Philanthropy:Businesses also practice social responsibility by donating to national and local charities.
  3. Ethical labor practices:By treating employees fairly and ethically, companies can also demonstrate their corporate social responsibility.
  4. Volunteering:Attending volunteer events says a lot about a company’s sincerity. By doing good deeds without expecting anything in return.

See more at http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/4679-corporate-social-responsibility.html#sthash.AIIFUkbp.dpuf

Examples of corporate social responsibility

Shoes, another notable example of a company with CSR at its core, donates one pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair a customer purchases. How about donating money to an individual, for example, every ten plastic bags/bottles or cans that are being picked up.

Practicing what you preach

Undertaking socially responsible initiatives is truly a win-win situation. Not only will your company appeal to socially conscious consumers and employees, but you’ll also make a real difference in the world.   “Engage your employees [and consumers] in giving back. Let them feel like they have a voice.”