Conclusion
Organizations are coming to realize the bottom-line benefits of incorporating sustainability into their DNA. It’s beneficial for attraction and retention and it’s the right thing to do. HR is a key organizational leader and can take the lead or partner with other executives to work cross-functionally to integrate CSR objectives into how business gets conducted. HR practitioners can act as translators of the organization’s CSR commitment vertically and horizontally across departments. Most will find upon reading this report that they have many good practices underway. Many will find they have a new structure for their thinking they can apply practically in the workplace. Some will believe the current economic downturn will put these ideas on the backburner until the economy rebounds, while others think that organizations which abandon their CSR integration in the downturn will lose ground and breed cynicism in brighter times. Regardless of the point of view, all agree that effective HR leadership on CSR integration requires Board, CEO and executive commitment to be successful. Indeed, the roadmap is predicated on the assumption of this top level commitment. However, more and more organizations are committing to sustainability and to embedding CSR into “all that we do”, so it is hoped the 11 steps provide some guidance as to how to go about doing this.