Few months back I got a feedback from one of my colleagues that it was time I started giving back to the organization whatever I had learnt till then. (I was on a learning curve). Last couple of weeks I am hearing his voice echoing in my ears repeatedly, but on an entirely different note.In corporate world there is something called CSR - Corporate Social Responsibility. When a concern is becoming big it starts thinking about contributing something towards the improvement of its region/society. I have not seen a start up or a company that is making losses talking about CSR. Only the biggies that are making good profits and have good resources talk about CSR. These companies take up some kind of social service activities such as adult literacy program, environmental cleaning etc.
When I was in school and college, I used to think a lot about social services. I used to console myself that I could not do anything because I did not have money and once I got into to a job and started making my dough I would start fulfilling my service desires. Then it was justifiable and in line with a company’s CSR policy (?!). Almost three quarters of a decade into making money (being on earning curve) I have not given back anything significant so far to the society. It does not have to be just money it could be of any form like my knowledge, my time, my advice etc; it could be to anyone but without expecting a favour in return.
Now I am using 'my busy life' as the scapegoat. :(
I keep getting my colleague's voice in this context again & again and grows louder day by day. I think it is time I started something pretty soon before I become deaf.
Or should I just call my psychiatrist to fix an appointment for my hearing voices?
8 comments:
True happiness lies in giving rather than getting!
Please include me when you start spending time/money/energy for a good cause.
Nagarajan (Nag)
"Giving back to the organization" is a joke. The relationship between an employer and employee is well defined. They pay for getting the job done. They make profits from it. The term "giving back" makes it sound like organization is giving to us and we are not doing anything back. We do the job and help them make profits.
Anything else we do to employer will have other motives like faster promotion. It will not be selfless. It is not a one way road.
If you talk about "giving back" to the society then I will agree. Though someone can argue that we pay taxes for the services we get from the society, it is my feeling that we can still do a little more.
The relationship we have with the organization is purely business. We do work and they pay, if you are not interested or company is not happy with you, either you move or company will move you. There is nothing like corporate social responsibilities. Offcourse I agree that, we need to adhere to the rules and regulations of a company when you are in that. Outside the scope and rules I don't see a emotional bonding with the company.
But with the society I definitely agree. Few years back a colleague came to me (he oftens boast to be a true indian). He was pretty upset that our company had changed policy to pay only in US. He said that atleast he was happy that he paid taxes to Indian government. I told him that it is his inability or excuse for not serving his country or society.
First thing, paying taxes is not the only resposibility of a citizen, it is his duty. Not paying tax is against law. Serving society does not need more money or time. Whatever applicable to your way of life. You need not work 24/7 like udavum karangal vidyasakar, you can just sponsor one day food or books for some orphanage. My mother in law does that, she sponsor 500 Rs which is one day food for a small orphanage in vellore. For her income that service was more than enough. My father has this habit, when someone is struggling for studies due to money, he will give them 5000 or 10000, but he never puts a rupee for a beggar.
I happened to read "Arthamulla Hindu Madhaem" by Kannadhasan few days back. He said that even if you think in mind "I have to do something to society" and you are unable to do that due to some real constraints you will achieve salvation. Though I don't agree with him exactly, he is true to some extent. To me if rich can give a lakh, poor can give a rupee if that is only they have. It is equal to the lakh rupee. There are lot of ways, one can help the society money, time, support, knowledge etc,. But many of us (including me) give lot of excuse to escape from this. If we are doing to something to society (many of them intrepret only to India, not only India whichever country you are in) on a humanitarian basis, that is well and good.
Giving is possible in both the aspects.
1) To the organization
You work for the company and you earn the salary. Even apart from the salary there exists a relationship between you and the company.It is LOYALTY. So, with that loyalty you give back whatever you have learnt to the company. like training the new employees(at the basic level), giving ideas to improve the business(at the hign end). All these may not be part of your work. But you do it because of the Loyalty.
2. To the society
Ofcourse the importance of giving back to the society is well known. But that should be made as a routine instead of a one time shot. If one generation creates a good society, then the result is enjoyed in the next. So, Giving back to the society means nothing bu giving back to our own children. (Ofcourse the reverse is not true)
So, hear your 'inner voice' and start ASAP...
Giving back to organization is a serious thing Siva. Don’t interpret this similar to what a person does to ‘give back’ to the society. Although it does not have selfless motive in it, it does have dual benefit to the employee and the employer. Giving back in the corporate world is that extra mile an employee goes and the value creation an employee does; that is beyond the ‘well defined’ role.
Barani from your comment-line “there is nothing like corporate social responsibilities”, I think you misunderstood what a corporate social responsibility means. CSR does not have anything to do with its employees or their business. CSR is about what a corporate does to give back to the society per se. If you want to understand what a CSR means I request you to go thru the link that I have provided in my post.
It is an employer’s responsibility to create emotional bonding among its employees. If I were an employer I would strive to create an emotional bonding and loyalty among my employees. I think good employers are trying to do that. I believe that employees with bonding that is more than monetary are the key to the success of the employer’s business.
What your mother-in-law and father doing are really great. My hats-off to them. J
Sarang...I completely agre with your view.
My bad. It was meant to be corporate employee responsibility. I did not intend to comment on CSR.
Why only grown up companies concentrate on giving back to society, can be related to basic human nature of thinking outside only if their basic needs are satisfied. For a startup company the focus will be always on the growth of their company. Some companies do to boost their public image.
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