Harrison Zhang, Sahana Raju and Michael Margent | Published: 23 August 2023
As the dust settles post-pandemic, the workplace is evolving. Shifts in corporate culture – the persistence of remote working, emptier offices and the rise of return-to-work initiatives – suggest a growing divide between workers’ personal and professional lives.
However, research shows that workers today expect more from their current jobs and potential employers in terms of personal fulfillment.1 For many, this means employers being aligned with value and causes that are important to them, including racial and gender equality and social and environmental commitments.
For many younger people, working for a company with a strong commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and the associated opportunities to create social impact has gone from being a ‘nice-to-have’ to a deal-breaker when choosing roles and potential employers.
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) defines CSR as a “management concept whereby companies integrate social and environmental concerns in their business operations and interactions with their stakeholders”.2
Understanding the connection between a strong CSR culture and employees’ desire is imperative for recruiting and retaining talent. Companies that can successfully involve their employees in CSR initiatives benefit from employees that feel a stronger sense of belonging, meaning and overall purpose while at the company. The end result is lower attrition and enhanced levels of employee retention.
One of the many ways in which Capco demonstrates our commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is through our Impact Consulting Program. Our employees can volunteer their services to contribute to pro-bono consulting projects for non-profit organizations and help facilitate positive economic, environmental, and social impact.
In addition to the benefits that non-profit organizations receive from free specialized support, this type of Impact Consulting allows our employees to engage with communities outside of the company and connect with like-minded individuals in the workplace. At the same time, as an employer we reap the rewards of improved retention rates and a purpose-driven workforce through the recruitment of more passionate, socially conscious candidates.
In 2022, Capco employees used their expertise and experience to assist as number of non-profits in addressing some of the most urgent social issues – tackling world hunger, aiding wildlife protection, and bridging the skills gap for those in need.
Ciara Donahue worked on the Climate Resolve Project in 2022: “It is admirable that Capco engages with firm's pro-bono to provide our services based purely on CSR mission alignment. I am proud to work for a firm that engages with non-profits so that we can work to make our world a better place.”
Christie Mbonteh participated in an impact consulting project for the Social Gastronomy Movement, a food sustainability NGO: “Being an active member of Capco’s Impact Consulting community has given me the opportunity to work and connect with Capco employees from other offices around the world. Leveraging my skills to support NGOs has been a great experience that has brought a refreshing perspective and an incredible feeling of fulfilment.”
Sofina Lin was part of the Room-to-Read Impact Consulting Project in 2022: “Capco Impact Consulting has given me the opportunity to contribute to my community by applying my consulting skills directly. It has been a rewarding journey as I had the chance to take ownership of the project from beginning to end and really see the impact of my work.”
Through our Impact Consulting Program, Capco employees can experience a superior sense of personal satisfaction and belonging.
1 https://time.com/6176169/what-young-workers-want-in-jobs/
2 What is CSR? – United Nations Industrial Development Organization