Giving Compass' Take:

•  Kevin Xu, writing for Forbes, describes the most effective ways for companies to engage their employees in corporate social responsibility. 

• Why is it important that employees be at the heart of CSR missions? How can companies create long-term loyalty and value this way?

• Read about corporate social responsibility trends in 2019. 

As a co-founder of the Human Heritage Project, I am a vocal proponent of corporate social responsibility (CSR). And nothing has thrilled me more over the past few years than seeing more and more companies take responsibility for the causes close to their hearts.

But a CSR initiative alone isn't enough to sustain long-term impact. The businesses taking on these causes have to ensure that the employees carrying out the initiative receive the respect they deserve.

Buyers aren’t the only ones who expect companies to be philanthropic. A 2017 Harris Poll study for Glassdoor found that 75% of employees expect their companies' leadership to help those in need. If your team sees leaders invest their time and resources into a greater cause, it can embolden them to find ways to make their own impact.

By helping employees find the places where their values align with those of their employers, leaders can engender a greater feeling of purpose in their workforces. Here are four ways to do so:

  1. Blend CSR work with professional development.  Philanthropic work that's infused with professional growth is a win-win situation for employees. It allows them to see the good they're doing for others as well as themselves.
  2. Show executive-level commitment. By discussing how CSR affects them both personally and professionally, company leaders demonstrate to employees that their commitment is more than empty words.
  3. Celebrate employee buy-in.  When employees contribute to CSR initiatives, publicly celebrate those achievements.
  4. Showcase the effects of employee investments. Regularly communicate an initiative's progress with workers, and keep them updated on new projects, partnerships and investments.

Read the full article about corporate social responsibility by Kevin Xu at Forbes