Many companies might mention corporate social responsibility (CSR) on their websites and job ads, but what does this actually mean?
CSR is worth paying attention to when looking for your next career step. It can indicate an organisation’s priorities, provide insights into company culture, and showcase what the company cares about.
To help us understand the topic further, we asked our employer partner, Alliance Group, why CSR is important to them and what this looks like in action.
What is Corporate Social Responsibility?
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) refers to a company’s commitment to addressing societal and environmental issues beyond its profit-making objectives.
It entails taking responsibility for the impact of its actions on various stakeholders, including employees, customers, communities, and the environment. CSR initiatives encompass philanthropic endeavours, environmental sustainability practices, ethical business conduct, employee welfare programmes, and community engagement.
By integrating CSR into their business strategies, companies aim to contribute positively to society, foster long-term sustainability, and build stakeholder trust. Embracing CSR reflects a company’s ethical values and willingness to go beyond compliance, promoting a broader positive influence on the world while remaining accountable for its actions.
Why is Corporate Social Responsibility Important?
Demonstrating a commitment to social and environmental issues shows that a company cares about more than just profits and is invested in the well-being of its stakeholders and the wider society.
Embracing CSR practices contributes to long-term business sustainability. By addressing environmental concerns, implementing sustainable business practices, and supporting social causes, companies can help create a more stable and resilient society. Businesses that prioritise sustainability are more likely to adapt successfully to changing market conditions, regulatory requirements, and consumer preferences over time.
CSR in Action at Alliance
Alliance Group wholeheartedly supports their local communities. Recent examples include:
- Strong partnership with Ronald McDonald House: Alliance sponsors various fundraising events, provide meat donations, and participate in the Family Dinner Programme. The alignment between Alliance Group’s values of care, compassion, and commitment and Ronald McDonald House’s vital work reinforces the significance of this partnership. The services provided by Ronald McDonald House make a significant difference to the lives of families will ill children or siblings, particularly for farming families in remote areas of New Zealand.
- Supporting Community Recovery: Recognising the challenges farmers face on the North Island’s East Coast after Cyclone Gabrielle, Alliance introduced a comprehensive support package. This package includes a $200,000 donation to the East Coast Rural Support Trust, benefiting communities in Gisborne, Hawkes Bay, Tararua, and the Wairarapa. Additionally, they established a shareholder-supplier stock donation programme, allowing farmers to contribute livestock with proceeds directed to the Trust. To address emotional tolls, free counselling services are offered to the worst impacted shareholder farmers through OCP, extended over 12 months for ongoing support.
- Graduates Give Back: Alliance Group’s 2023 graduates collaborated with award-winning chef Darren Wright to prepare a special meal for families staying at Ronald McDonald House Charities NZ in Christchurch. The independent charitable trust offers free accommodation and support to families with children undergoing medical treatment away from home. The Alliance Group Graduate Programme provides graduates with a comprehensive experience in the meat industry and connects them with mentors and stakeholders, fostering a rewarding career journey.
Prioritise a Career that Cares
When you look for your next opportunity, look at companies that align with your personal values and aspirations. Companies like Alliance that have a focus on CSR.
By joining such a company, you can contribute to meaningful work beyond your job roles, allowing you to feel a sense of purpose and fulfilment in your career. CSR-driven organisations often prioritise employee well-being, growth, and development, and foster a positive and supportive work culture.
Being part of a socially responsible company empowers you to be a change agent and contribute to creating a better and more sustainable future.
