The socially responsible organization is not one that ticks a few boxes in the “corporate social responsibility” columns of some obscure effort by the HR department once a year or so. Today’s socially responsible organization forms a meaningful, enduring relationship with a cause that has significance for its promoters and leaders. Through these initiatives, the organization itself carves a niche in terms of identity.
The desire to help and be socially responsible organizations and individuals is there among every entity. A person who has ever earned or paid a rupee knows exactly how tough it is to not have it. But being moved by the desire to help is not enough in itself when scams and misdirection of funds abound. This is why professionals like to ally themselves to worthy causes chosen by their employer.
Ways in which an organization of any size can be socially responsible
Cash donations: Given that the pandemic has ravaged economic activity for a major part of the year and still going on, state agencies, the Prime Minister’s message, and industry leader’s chime in one voice to urge professionals to avail a tax exemption under Section 80 G if they make a contribution to COVID-19 relief service. This helps in funding face shields, masks, and PPE kits for front-line workers. This initiative is powered by Akshaya Patra, which is in partnership with corporates such as -3i, Airports Authority of India, CNBC-Awaaz, Citicorp Financial, DHL, DMart, Huawei, and Idea Cellular.
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Creating volunteering paths: Many professionals might feel that their jobs do not have much flexibility in terms of the tasks they do, but the way they execute the tasks gives them satisfaction. Charity in rupees and paise may not be possible at all levels of earners, but there are people who would love to volunteer their time. Volunteering can be anything from taking virtual lessons for less-privileged learners to offering their subject-matter or skill as a gift. Faculties such as coding or web design or digital marketing are in demand among non-profits that need the boost that these skills bring to the business.
Being a socially responsible organization all the way
The salient features for a charity program introduced by an organization that works are:
- It should be voluntary: Employees cannot and should not be pressured into participating
- Visibility and mileage: Promoting an initiative has to be an ongoing process. Mailers, banners, and even visibility on the intranet are essential for a charity to get noticed
- Easy: Participating in charity work should be made easy and accessible to employers.
Clear wins are in store
In this case, the responsibility to keep themselves aware of the most relevant problems, segregating through a plethora of options, and shortlisting the ones that gel closely with the ethos of the organization lie with the leaders. For the majority of employees looking to make their charitable efforts simpler and more streamlined, an avenue created via the employer is an excellent method of taking the stress out of doing good.
Another off-shoot of the socially responsible organization is the way it is perceived by the employees themselves: such employers gain and retain more trust and engagement with their employees.
In the end, it is as good as doing good themselves if the employer helps the employee do good – and this is what a socially responsible organization achieves.
Reference: Lin Grensing-Pophal, Employees Look to Workplace Programs to Ease Charitable Giving | SHRM | December 9, 2020
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