CSR: Influencing Positive Change at Work

 

The IPE Committee at MAHSA University continuously supports the students of MAHSA University by bringing in external speakers' to share their experiences on skills-sets that are anticipated as essential for future industrial needs. IPE in its special event series with its second talk entitled “Corporate Social Responsibility: Influencing positive change at work", invited Ms Shafinaz Suhaimi, Senior Manager at MyKasih Foundation.

Ms Shafinaz Suhaimi delivered this topic on CSR and Sustainability at work. As a philanthropist, and currently a senior manager at MyKasih foundation which she had joined eleven  years ago, her role in MyKasih Foundation mainly involves strategic partnership to raise fund for MyKasih flagship cashless programme and those aligned with the United Nation Sustainable Development goals.

In her talk, she highlighted the importance of CSR to employees and employers alike. CSR - what was once deemed as groundbreaking, is now the norm for responsible business. The method to approach a CSR effort is with visibility and networking, positive vision and action. According to Ms Shafinaz, Companies need to act with more urgency, commitment, and intent to:

• a)     Sharply accelerate in the uptake of zero targets
• b)     More focus on nature-based solution in fighting climate change
• c)     Deepen the company's approach to managing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• d)     Address matters of living wages instead of minimum wages.

In CSR, positive vision and positive action must also be aligned. This process involves both mastermind and teamwork to make happen. The environment, social and governance (ESG) and sustainability involves all sectors and multidiscipline. It also can be done by listening to stakeholder needs and adopt solutions to solve the matters arising.

She also added that conducting a CSR activity requires patience, proactiveness and long-term thinking. Having to practice CSR and sustainability efforts also has its moments of downfall that individuals and organisations need to be be prepared for. However, such downfalls can be avoided with careful listening and not to react to external demands instantly, giving time and space to reflect when making decisions. Ms Shafinaz ended her enlightening presentation with the notion that organizations that do not practice sustainability lacks responsibility and therefore needs to refocus on their business objectives and goals.