Browse by subject - Corporate social responsibility
03 December 2012: Employers positive about recruiting young workers (United Kingdom / Information update)
Employers in the UK believe they have a part to play in tackling youth unemployment, according to a report by the Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development. The report shows employers that have recruited a young worker in the past year are generally positive about that worker. But only 56% of employers intend to recruit a young worker in the next year. Apprenticeships were also praised, although concerns have been raised over equality issues that surround them in the UK.
07 September 2012: Workers less inclined to put up with illegal working conditions (Latvia / Information update)
The Free Trade Union Confederation of Latvia has conducted its ninth survey on labour relations and safety at work. The survey, which received financial support from EU Structural funds and was carried out by research centre SKDS, asked questions on attitudes to working for organisations which violated labour laws, awareness of labour relations rules, and knowledge of safety equipment. One finding was that people were not happy to work without a written contract or without being paid for overtime.
20 July 2011: Improvements needed in the working environment (Estonia / Information update)
Safety in the workplace in Estonia still needs to be improved, four years after this was recommended by the National Audit Office of Estonia (NAO). A study by the NAO in 2007 showed the government had not acted consistently in ensuring safety at work. It said statistics for occupational accidents and illnesses were inaccurate, and suggested employers should bear more of the cost of these accidents and illnesses. It also suggested analysing other countries’ safety methods.
15 July 2011: Importance of trust in creating committed employees (Sweden / Information update)
The view that staff are a company’s most important resource is, in theory, a vital part of today’s corporate model. However, this has proved difficult to implement in reality. Active leadership is worth the effort as it has many corporate benefits. Recent research indicates that, for example, trust between employer and employee is crucial in creating employees’ commitment. This is one of the findings of social scientist Richard Berglund at the University of Gothenburg.
03 September 2010: Increased commitment by Bulgarian companies to corporate social responsibility (Bulgaria / Information update)
A baseline survey on corporate social responsibility (CSR) in Bulgarian companies published in 2007 found a gradual penetration of CSR practices. The direct provision of funds, activities targeting the health, qualification and other social needs of staff, non-financial assistance, and investment in environmental issues are among the most widespread CSR activities. The survey identified a range of spending on socially responsible activities by companies.
28 July 2010: New survey reveals sharp variation in working conditions across sectors (Ireland / Information update)
A new survey reveals significant variations in working conditions in Ireland according to economic sector and employment characteristics. The survey looks at employer provision of work-related benefits such as pensions, childcare subsidies and medical cover. It also examines accommodation of employee-friendly working, access to workplace training and access to employment rights according to occupation, gender, sector, age group and nationality.
08 March 2010: Benefits of work–life balance measures in SMEs (Italy / Information update)
The Confederation of Italian Industry has published a report summarising a wide range of work–life balance practices in small and medium-sized enterprises. Contrary to widespread opinion among employers and their representative associations, improvement of work–life balance is not related to company size or to the company’s financial conditions but it is strongly influenced by the employer’s cultural affirmative attitude and the flexibility of labour relations.
14 September 2009: Factors influencing uptake of corporate social responsibility (Luxembourg / Information update)
Based on data collected in 2007 from companies employing at least 10 workers, an empirical analysis shows that the size of the enterprise, its sector of economic activity, its legal status, its position in the market and its values have a significant effect on the adoption of the corporate social responsibility concept. Smaller companies are less familiar with the concept, which indicates that promotion efforts should primarily target these enterprises.
16 June 2009: Impact of climate change on UK workplaces (United Kingdom / Information update)
A report issued by the Trades Union Congress in April 2009 has highlighted the implications of climate change for employment. The report describes the findings of research conducted in the UK’s private and public sectors and concludes that organisations need to do far more to consider the implications of climate change on workplaces. The report also offers a series of policy recommendations to the UK’s public authorities and social partners.
01 June 2009: Corporate social responsibility in micro and small enterprises (Denmark / Information update)
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has been on the Danish agenda since 1994. However, research into the relations between CSR and working conditions in small enterprises has not been assessed until now. A study finds that CSR in small companies mainly focuses on employee well-being, as well as preserving a good reputation in the local community. About 75% of small and medium-sized enterprises are active in terms of CSR.
05 January 2009: Company attitudes to corporate social responsibility (Luxembourg / Information update)
In early 2008, a survey was carried out to assess companies’ commitment to practices in the area of corporate social responsibility (CSR). While 10% of companies report that they are implementing CSR practices, 90% believe that they should be paying more attention to wider social and environmental issues.
24 September 2008: ETUC report gives state of play of the world of work in Europe (EU Level / Information update)
‘Benchmarking working Europe’ is an annual publication by the European Trade Union Confederation and its research institute which aims to deliver an overall picture of the world of work at European level and in the different EU Member States. The report examines a range of topics including employment, youth unemployment, wage developments, social protection, worker participation, corporate social responsibility, corporate governance and social dialogue.
01 July 2008: Socially responsible initiatives of companies (Denmark / Information update)
The 2008 annual report on the social responsibility of Danish enterprises by the Danish National Centre for Social Research shows that the current low unemployment rate leads employers to place the emphasis on preventing absenteeism, retaining employees and include older workers in the workforce. Policies aim to encourage long-term absentees back to work and promote competence development. Such policies are used differently by public and private enterprises and by company size.
11 June 2008: Most large companies take socially responsible approach (Luxembourg / Information update)
Increasing numbers of companies are seeking to adopt a more responsible approach by integrating economic, environmental and social aspects into their operations, as part of a form of governance which is extended to include all of their partners. Such an approach is known as corporate social responsibility (CSR). An audit was carried out on companies in Luxembourg in order to evaluate the extent of their CSR activity and to look at the way in which they report on these activities,
19 May 2008: Workers show more interest in environmental issues (Spain / Information update)
The Labour Ecobarometer 2007, conducted by the Institute for Labour, Environment and Health, highlights an important shift in the perception of workers in Spain regarding environmental issues. The results show that a large majority of workers favour a balance between production and employment, on the one hand, and environmental respect, on the other. This change in attitude reflects trends in societal awareness, as well as workplace developments.
01 October 2007: Socially responsible practices in SMEs (Portugal / Information update)
Portuguese small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have already implemented some corporate social responsibility (CSR) measures but these are not formally recognised. Since a large number of SMEs are certified in areas such as quality, environment, safety, hygiene and health at work, a partnership project led by the Ceramics and Glass Technological Centre concluded that the formal adoption of CSR practices in SMEs is possible.
24 March 2006: Reconciling work and family life in the financial services sector (Spain / Information update)
Two of the largest Spanish banks, BBVA and Banco Popular, are the first companies in Spain’s financial services sector to introduce plans aimed at a better work–life balance. These plans have been negotiated with the employee representatives, and include a wide array of measures.