Are you also dealing with corporate social responsibility? This area is now a common part of values and standards, and we have a few tips for you on how to integrate and develop it in a practical way. Perhaps even with the help of employee benefits.
The increasingly popular area of ESG (environmental, social, governance) is now almost a “must-have” in every company. Investors, customers, and employees expect companies to do business in a sustainable, ethical, and socially responsible manner. ESG is not just a matter for large corporations; medium-sized and smaller companies are also addressing how to set it up correctly and integrate it into their strategy.
How to implement ESG in practice
Be authentic and don’t rush into anything. Implementing ESG does not have to mean an immediate revolution; rather, it involves systematic and well-thought-out steps that are meaningful and internally consistent. Feel free to draw inspiration, but never copy the strategies of other companies. It wouldn’t work. ESG activities must correspond to the specific needs and characteristics of the company in question.
- Start from the current situation, which may include ESG activities that you are already engaged in. Is it recycling? Support for a non-profit organization or wellbeing activities for employees?
- Set goals. They should be SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely). An example of a goal could be reducing your carbon footprint by 20% within 5 years.
- Involve both management and employees in the activities. ESG is not just an HR activity.
What are the main areas of ESG activities?
ESG is most often based on three pillars. We have prepared an overview of these pillars for you, along with some inspiration and examples of activities you can implement.
- Environmental responsibility can include supporting all activities aimed at protecting nature and natural resources, such as promoting digitization, “green” offices, replacing gasoline cars with electric cars, increasing recycling, reducing emissions by promoting remote work, prioritizing green suppliers, or providing thematic training for employees.
- You can improve social responsibility by, for example, emphasizing gender balance, supporting women in management, fair remuneration, or caring for the community by developing corporate volunteering.
- Responsibility in the area of governance includes, for example, a transparent code of ethics that also includes an anti-corruption policy and a conflict of interest policy.
Values and ESG are more likely to be expected by younger employees
Generation Z (born after 1996) and Generation Y (born between 1980 and 1995, known as millennials) are the ones who are increasingly choosing their employer based on their level of social responsibility.
A side effect of a well-developed and integrated ESG corporate concept is that it is a great recruitment advantage for attracting younger candidates. You can also attract them with the employee benefits you offer. The Verso package includes, for example, the eco-friendly Carpool feature, which allows car sharing on the way to and from work, or the Bazaar feature. Here, you can offer your colleagues unused second-hand items.
Always communicate activities correctly
ESG measures only make sense if people are aware of them and understand their benefits. Therefore, actively involve employees in this area and train leaders to set an example. Present specific results regularly, whether internally, on social media, or on the company website. You can also participate in thematic conferences.
Because we know that sharing and good practice are key, you can draw inspiration from Up Česká republika‘s ESG concept. How are you doing with implementing this area? We would love to hear your tips and experiences.
