Implementing a CSR approach in a company has become a must. On the one hand, to recall theusefulness of the company in serving society. On the other hand, to (re)give meaning to employees. And what if you were to place employees at the centre of your company's CSR approach? Because setting up a CSR approach is a good thing. Making employees the authors and actors of this CSR approach is even better!
CSR in business
What are the pillars of CSR in business?
CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) is defined by the European Commission as follows:
"It is a concept that refers to the voluntary integration by companies of social and environmental concerns into their business activities and their relationships with their stakeholders. »
There are 3 pillars of a CSR approach in a company:
- The economic dimension: optimising the means of production to produce more responsibly
- The social aspect: the company must be inclusive and respectful of the rights of each employee
- The environmental dimension: reducing its environmental impact is an essential pillar of a company's CSR approach
What is the purpose of CSR in business?
« La société fait irruption dans l’entreprise » nous disait, en 2011, un rapport publié par le Ministère du Travail. Il poursuivait ainsi :
"Work can no longer be considered solely in its economic dimension, i.e. from the point of view of the compensation that the company pays to its employees and the social guarantees that it provides. Of course, this dimension remains essential, but it must be supplemented to meet the demand for meaning expressed by employees in their work. »
The aim of CSR in business is therefore to move companies towards a more sustainable present and future. It is also to give meaning to the company's mission for society, and to give meaning to the work for the employees who work there.
This is why it is relevant, even essential, tofully involve employees when it comes to implementing a CSR approach in a company.
Mobilise your employees to implement a CSR approach in your company
Employees at the centre of the company
Because employees are at the heart of the company, it is natural that they are at the heart of its CSR strategy. It is even essential that they be the actors. And this for several reasons:
- Because, quite simply, your employees are your company's human capital, its main asset. They are therefore in the best position to participate in its social and environmental mission.
- Because by participating in something meaningful, they will be all the more committed to your company in general.
- And because it cannot be said often enough: employees are a company's first ambassadors. Their commitment will have very positive repercussions on its external image, and in particular its employer brand.
More than ever, employees need to give meaning to their work and to participate in the development of the CSR plan, both in terms of strategy and its "operational" implementation. As for companies, they need their employees to help them identify the right strategic pillars, the right directions to take, and the right projects to carry out.
Tools for setting in motion a CSR approach in a company thanks to the participation of the employees
The CSR manifesto in collective intelligence
Writing a manifesto means formalising a common raison d'être, an aligned posture. Writing the CSR manifesto using collective intelligence consists of asking your employees to formalise the company's CSR strategy together, in particular by expressing themselves on the issues or themes that they consider to be priorities. You can carry out this consultation via different digital tools and using several methods. Download the free method with several possible formats for co-constructing a manifesto using collective intelligence ⬇️ ⬇️
A corporate social network
Use your corporate social network to involve your employees in setting your CSR strategy in motion. Create discussion groups dedicated to these topics and launch debates. In this way, your corporate social network will enable you to raise your employees' awareness of your company's CSR issues and offer them a space to express themselves on this subject.
A tool forcollaborative innovation
When it comes to implementing a CSR approach in your company, a tool fromcollaborative innovation allows you to involve your employees in a very concrete way. Once your company's CSR strategy has been defined and your employees are aligned, encourage them to propose concrete ideas to bring the CSR strategy to life. This is the only way you can make them real players in your company's CSR strategy.
