Every business, no matter how small, has an impact on its local environment and local community, and has responsibilities towards its staff, suppliers and customers. Corporate social responsibility (or CSR) has become increasingly important as businesses look to ensure they are carrying out best working practices throughout their business including operating in an environmentally friendly way and having a positive impact on the local community.
Some recent work in this area by Ricoh was brought to our attention, and was so impressive we wanted to share it on the blog. Ricoh is a global provider of technology and services that help organisations transform business transactions and processes. Headquartered in Japan, the company employs around 500 members of staff at its three offices in Northamptonshire.
Ricoh’s commitment to CSR has become an integral part of its corporate values and is incorporated into all its worldwide operations. In fact the importance that the company places on CSR has been recognised by The Ethisphere Institute as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for three years running.
During 2011, Ricoh worked with a variety of organisations including BBC Children In Need, with an event held at the company’s National Contact Centre in Northamptonshire, and Gingerbread - a charity that provides work experience placements to individuals with long term barriers to work.
This year they will be enrolling in the Business in the Community Right2Read programme, and will also be offering employees the chance to regularly donate to a charity of their choice through a companywide payroll giving scheme.
It’s great to see such investment in best working practices from one of Northamptonshire’s leading businesses alongside a strong commitment to support the local community.
Pictured is Ricoh's eco-board, situated on the M4 motorway near London, it is powered 100% by renewable energy, through wind and sun, demonstrating the company’s commitment to sustainable innovation.
For more information about Ricoh’s Corporate Responsibility programme, please visit www.ricoh.co.uk
