For Many Businesses, CSR Impact Begins On Their Teams
In her article “What to Expect From Sustainability and Social Impact in 2024” that appeared in Fast Company earlier this year, Susan McPherson surveyed CSR experts on their predictions for 2024. While there weren’t any big surprises, one theme that echoed through each example was the importance of investing in employees.
The article called out an increasing number of initiatives around internal policies that can help workers thrive in all aspects of their lives. Many employers start with new benefits that meet each generation where it is. Whether providing eldercare and college-going benefits for Gen X’s “sandwich” generation that is caring for their parents and kids, or implementing four-day weeks and lifestyle benefits like park memberships coveted by Millennials, corporate entities are starting at home to boost their credentials and realize quick impacts.
New York University Stern School of Business professor and author, Alison Taylor, highlighted the importance of worker voice and representation in all workplaces. Not only does this include increasingly common affinity groups, advisory boards, and recognition of diverse cultural communities, but also the alignment of externally corporate policy positions, sustainable sourcing and social issues. Growing workplace identity is separating from the tired “business as usual” mentality, empowering modern associates to ask that employers’ guiding principles and actions reflect many of their own values.
It is not likely that labor wins across industries and renewed calls for corporate commitments to universal employee rights and economic mobility will end soon. Corporations who ignore calls for responsible AI use, education investments and even time off to vote do so at their own peril. Slow responders will find top talent drawn to more responsive workplaces, bruising their reputations and earning the wrath of departees on Glassdoor.
In a tumultuous year like 2024, these new realities will require employers to evolve and make real-time shifts to successfully navigate an increasingly complicated environment. From inflation and economic uncertainty, to continuing global conflicts, and the impacts of AI on work and society – two billion people will weigh each of these influences as they head to the polls around the world. Smart businesses can ensure calmer waters for their workforce by focusing on the health and well being of their teams. There, they can create positive impacts for their staff and maybe even become a competitive leader at the same time.