COMMUNITY HOUSE, 15 COLLEGE GREEN

Even if you are just starting to think about Corporate Social Responsibility you will soon discover that it can be a complicated business. And yet more and more customers are beginning to enquire about your policy regarding social engagement.

Becoming a member of the 3 Sector Match scheme can help ease the burden of finding ways of demonstrating your support for your local community.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is an acknowledgement by an organisation that it has an obligation to consider the interests of customers, employees, shareholders communities and the environment in all aspects of its operation. This obligation is seen to extend beyond its statutory obligation to comply with legislation.

CSR is closely linked with the principles of sustainability which supports the view that businesses should make decisions based not only on financial factors such as profits or dividends, but also based on the immediate and long-term social and environmental consequences of its activities. This has become known as the Triple Bottom Line.

The definition of CSR used within an organisation can vary from a basic ‘stakeholder impact’ definition, to one that often includes charitable efforts and volunteering. Responsibility for ensuring adherence to CSR may be based within the human resources, business development or PR departments of an organisation, or may be given a distinct unit reporting to the CEO or the Board.