Corporate Social Responsibility in the BPO Industry: My Experience at Accenture

CSR is defined as a company’s voluntary contribution towards society and the environment and its responsibilities towards stakeholders. According to the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD, 2001, as cited in Hossain, Hasan, & Hasan, 2024), CSR is the commitment of a business entity to contribute to sustainable economic development that focuses on community and society as well. Accenture is a leading global professional services company that provides jobs to millions of people across the globe particularly in the Philippines. For years, this company had always shown accountability in promoting sustainability, well-being, and economic growth.

I have been in the BPO industry for almost eight years, and Accenture is the only company I have seen that openly prioritizes corporate social responsibility. As an employee of Accenture, I appreciate how they encourage everyone—not just those in management, but all employees—to actively participate in CSR initiatives.

Accenture promotes various practices and projects on a global scale, but I would like to focus on those I have personally witnessed in our office here in the Philippines.

Sustainability Practice. Accenture is very strict in promoting the use of personal tumbler to minimize waste and promote environmental responsibility. All employees regardless of position are required to use spill-proof tumbler or container otherwise, you will be reported to HR for not following this rule. This practice promotes sustainability within the workplace and at the same time, this is aligned to the company’s commitment to environmental conservation. We also have water refilling stations to support this practice ensuring that employees have easy access to clean drinking water without relying on disposable bottles.

Personal and Professional Growth. Our company offers a variety of courses that all employees can take at no cost. This promotes personal and professional development that is beneficial to employee’s overall well-being. The available courses cover a wide range of topics, including technical skills, leadership training, mental health awareness, and career advancement strategies. All learnings are important as it enhances employee’s capabilities and can eventually be used even after resigning from Accenture. This practice is a way of empowering employees to remain competitive in the job market and changing industries.

Lastly, we have a community called Global Corporate Citizenship. This was created to keep interested employees informed about relevant global news, Corporate Citizenship programs, and opportunities to make a difference for society and the planet. This initiative extends beyond the Philippines and is part of Accenture as a whole. There were few projects I had recently witnessed.

1.    Walang Gutom Kitchen with DSWD

From the title itself, this program aims to feed children and combat hunger. Aside from providing meals, they also conducted nutrition education sessions to promote healthy living for children. This is an initiative from DSWD that was held in Pasay last year and Accenture employees were given opportunity to volunteer. They called for employees to volunteer as crowd control, server, ushers or even Registration Assistant. By volunteering, this project not only benefits the children but it also provides sense of purpose and fulfillment among employees.

2.    Footprints to Forest

This initiative promotes reforestation and ecological conservation—with a twist. All employees are encouraged to participate by walking, jogging, or running, with every step contributing to tree planting efforts. It is essentially hitting two birds with one stone. More than just a fitness challenge, its mission is to restore the natural world and protect the future. At the same time, it enhances employees' health and well-being while reinforcing Accenture’s commitment to environmental stewardship.

Accenture has numerous initiatives and practices globally, ranging from small actions like limiting employees' use of disposable bottles to broader commitments, such as promoting and implementing renewable energy in its offices. Based on my experience with the company, I have seen how both small and large initiatives can create a positive impact on employees and their surroundings. By embedding corporate social responsibility into workplace practices, I believe Accenture effectively influences its employees to value social responsibility and make a meaningful impact on society.

 

 

References

Hossain, M., Hasan, L., & Hasan, M. (2024). Corporate governance as a global phenomenon: Evolution, theoretical foundations, and practical implications. Journal of Financial Risk Management, 13(2), 342-375. https://doi.org/10.4236/jfrm.2024.132017