One of our new employees asked about our corporate social responsibility policy. Do you have any advice or best practices for creating one?
Question: One of our new employees asked about our corporate social responsibility policy. Do you have any advice or best practices for creating one?
Answer: Corporate social responsibility (CSR) policies are not new but are gaining momentum as employers work towards building their employment (and corporate) brand to do good work and support local communities.
Studies show that millennial and younger employees in particular are more attracted to companies with a strong culture supporting social responsibility. While the millennials are credited with it, employees of all generations feel a stronger connection to a company that operates in an ethical and socially responsible manner. Implementing CSR policies and programs can help recruitment efforts to attract and retain your employees.
CSR refers to the actions an organization takes to show its commitment to behave ethically and contribute to economic development while improving the quality of life of the workforce and their families and fostering the welfare of society. Having CSR policies in place shows your employees and your customers that the company is concerned with addressing some of the deeper social issues that affect your employees and community at large. Your social responsibility policy should complement the culture of your organization and be tailored to the company’s capability to tackle the issues included in the policy.
A strong policy would:
To help you get started, benchmark your plan with other organizations within the same industry sharing similar concerns. Because your policy will likely address business ethics and other company stewardship concerns, review your policy with legal counsel before implementing it.
Written by
Jeanette Coleman, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, is the Director of Human Resources at Axcet HR Solutions, where she has contributed her expertise for over 21 years.
As a leader in the HR industry, she holds advanced certifications as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and SHRM-Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP). Jeanette oversees HR strategy and operations, ensuring Axcet delivers exceptional HR services that help small and mid-sized businesses stay compliant and grow.
With a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management from Keller Graduate School and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Kansas State University, Jeanette is well-equipped to lead and support clients in navigating complex HR challenges.
Throughout her 15-year tenure as Director of Human Resources, she has been instrumental in positioning Axcet as the Midwest’s largest and premier Professional Employer Organization (PEO). Her previous roles at Axcet include Director of Employee Benefits and Senior HR Consultant, where she gained extensive experience in HR outsourcing, payroll administration, and employee risk management.
Jeanette’s leadership reflects her deep commitment to helping businesses thrive through strategic, compliance-driven HR solutions. Through her writing, she shares insights on HR strategy, compliance, and best practices to help employers confidently manage their workforce.
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