Key Themes of Corporate Social Responsibility

Name: Key Themes of Corporate Social Responsibility
Author: Meredith Kiljan

Learn key themes of corporate social responsibility

Preview the first lesson free — get full access to all 8 lessons.

Course: On-Demand

(upbeat music) Welcome to Key Themes of Corporate Social Responsibility. These lessons will provide an understanding of several key themes within corporate social responsibility and why each one is important for ensuring your organization is socially responsible. Human rights mean more than being treated fairly at work, they can be considered a universal concept that applies to every human being in every situation. Everyone deserves equal treatment regardless of race, sexual orientation, gender, language, religion, or nationality. The observance of human rights in a corporation can be seen in the hiring process and within the workplace. Human rights are demonstrated by implementing practices like non-discrimination hiring policies or by upholding a harassment-free environment. Human rights also encompass more than the inside operations of the organization; these rights extend into where and how the organization does its business. It's good practice for corporations to ensure that there are no infringements upon human rights. Let's look at how corporations can responsibly uphold human rights practices. Non-discrimination. When hiring, human resource representatives are trained in non-discrimination to ensure they abide by certain laws that require applicants to be judged without consideration of gender identity, religion, disability, or military service status. Harassment. It's important that employees don't feel harassed during the hiring process or throughout their tenure at an organization. Part of corporate social responsibility is to uphold an ethical standard as a foundation of the organization. Employees are trained in sexual harassment prevention annually and to help employees understand all forms of harassment. Social rights. Regardless of political or religious standing, some topics may be off limits at work so every employee can feel welcomed and respected. Having freedom to be who you are without compromising the social rights and opinions of others is an important aspect of corporate social responsibility. Economic rights. Along with avoiding discrimination for social reasons, organizations must avoid prejudice against employees and candidates because of their economic status. Corporate social responsibility can include ensuring that your employees have a reasonable living wage that will allow them to have access to basic needs. The global implications of human rights dictate whether an organization is upholding corporate social responsibility. If the corporation is promoting environmental responsibility, it will provide fair wages and ensure the environment is properly cared for. If an organization is working on philanthropic projects, it will ensure the charities they give to are upholding the basic human rights of those they serve.

Beginner Provider : Meredith Kiljan 8 Lessons · 19m in German, English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Urdu, Chinese

Course Description

When an organization develops a corporate social responsibility framework, it needs to acknowledge labor rights and standards in its practices. It also should develop policies respecting diversity, equity, and inclusion and safeguarding human rights in its partnerships with other firms. Finally, it must work to ensure occupational safety and minimize environmental impact. What steps can corporations take toward performing these functions? What role does human resources play?

In this Key Themes of Corporate Social Responsibility course, you’ll explore the legal and environmental obligations of corporations while identifying how human rights, diversity and inclusion, safety practices, whistleblower protections, and supply chain management are vital dimensions of corporate social responsibility. You’ll explore the legal responsibilities as well as moral obligations of minimizing or eliminating practices that harm employees, communities, and the natural world. You’ll also learn about the importance of ensuring ethical, socially responsible, and environmentally friendly practices among all participants in a supply chain.

What You'll Learn

Identify the benefits of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)
Explain the importance of labor and environmental rights
Recognize the role of human resources in promoting corporate social responsibility
Examine human rights and labor rights and standards within a CSR framework
Apply safety practices and whistleblower protections as dimensions of corporate social responsibility
Manage supply chains to ensure ethical, socially responsible, and environmentally friendly practices

Key Takeaways

When an organization develops a corporate social responsibility framework, it needs to acknowledge labor rights and standards in its practices.
Organizations should develop policies respecting diversity, equity, and inclusion and safeguarding human rights in their partnerships with other firms.
Corporations must work to ensure occupational safety and minimize environmental impact.
Corporations have both legal responsibilities and moral obligations to minimize or eliminate practices that harm employees, communities, and the natural world.
Ensuring ethical, socially responsible, and environmentally friendly practices among all participants in a supply chain is an important dimension of corporate social responsibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

What topics does this course cover?

The course covers human rights; labor rights and standards; diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI); environment; safety practices; whistleblower protections; and supply chain management as vital dimensions of corporate social responsibility.

What will I be able to do after taking this course?

You will be able to identify the benefits of diversity, equity, and inclusion; explain the importance of labor and environmental rights; and recognize the role of human resources in promoting corporate social responsibility.

Does the course address the legal and moral aspects of corporate social responsibility?

Yes. You will explore the legal and environmental obligations of corporations as well as the moral obligations of minimizing or eliminating practices that harm employees, communities, and the natural world.

Does this course cover supply chains?

Yes. It includes supply chain management and the importance of ensuring ethical, socially responsible, and environmentally friendly practices among all participants in a supply chain.

Is there a way to check my understanding at the end?

Yes. The course includes a Test Your Knowledge lesson.

Professional Certifications and Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM®)

Professional Development Credits (PDCs): 0.5

Certification Program Categories:

Leadership & NavigationBusiness AcumenConsultationGlobal MindsetEthical PracticeRelationship ManagementAnalytical AptitudeCommunicationDiversity, Equity & Inclusion

KnowledgeCity is approved by SHRM as a Recertification General Provider to offer SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP professional development credits (PDCs). By taking the courses approved by SHRM, KnowledgeCity can award SHRM Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for HR knowledge and competency programs related to the SHRM Body of Applied Skills and Knowledge™ (the SHRM BASK™).