A report said that building societies should do more to communicate their work on social responsibility to the public.
Source: Smart Company, Mutuality and Social Responsibility, Building Societies Association (020 7734 6416)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2002-Dec
A survey found that companies could improve their chances of hiring and keeping talented staff if they were supportive of employees home needs and paid more attention to environmental and community concerns.
Source: The Ethical Employee, Work Foundation (0870 165 6700) and Future Foundation
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2002-Dec
A think tank said that many companies are not implementing effective policies to protect the environment or deliver equal opportunities, based on a survey of 500 company directors. Commenting on the same survey, the Institute of Directors said that it showed its members are very supportive of, and actively engaged in, implementing corporate social responsibility.
Source: Ella Joseph, What's on the Agenda? How UK directors contribute to social and environmental objectives, Institute for Public Policy Research, available from Central Books (0845 458 9911) | Press release 3.12.02, Institute of Directors (020 7766 8866)
Links: IPPR press release | Summary | IOD press release
Date: 2002-Dec
A study reportedly found that six out of ten company boards never discuss social or environmental issues. The Institute of Directors reportedly refused to give permission for the study report to be published, saying that it was not a fair reflection of the evidence collected.
Source: The Observer, 27.10.02
Links: Article
Date: 2002-Oct
A guide said that cash donations and community contributions from businesses in the United Kingdom have changed little in the past ten years, remaining 'disappointingly low'.
Source: John Smyth, The Guide to UK Company Giving (4th Edition), Directory of Social Change (020 7209 5151)
Links: Press release
Date: 2002-Sep
An analysis of 50 corporate responsibility reports of leading United Kingdom and global companies found that few mention disability as part of the company's corporate responsibility strategy.
Source: AccountAbility, The Missing Persons Report: Global Inclusion Benchmark of Corporate Reporting on Disability, Employers Forum on Disability (020 7403 3020)
Links: Report (pdf) | Summary (pdf)
Date: 2002-Sep
A private member's Bill aimed to increase transparency in company reporting of economic, environmental and social impacts, and to make company directors accountable to wider groups of affected people.
Source: Corporate Responsibility Bill, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Bill (pdf)
Date: 2002-Jul
United Kingdom companies are neglecting vital safeguards that could prevent illegal or unethical business behaviour, according to a survey.
Source: Press release 3.7.02, Work Foundation (0870 165 6700)
Links: Press release
Date: 2002-Jul
A new system of corporate governance is needed to halt the escalating crisis of capitalism, argued a report following the Enron Corporation scandal in the United States of America.
Source: Shann Turnbull, A New Way to Govern: Organisations and Society after Enron, New Economics Foundation, available from Central Books (020 8986 5488)
Links: Summary | Report (pdf)
Date: 2002-Jul
A report looked at the reasons why investors wanted to engage with companies on social, ethical and environmental issues, and found growing evidence that judicious use of socially responsible investment could improve financial performance.
Source: Sustainability Pays, CIS (Co-operative Insurance Society) (0161 837 4907)
Links: Report (pdf) | Summary (pdf)
Date: 2002-Jul
Companies should be as innovative in their approach to corporate social responsibility projects as they are in their core business, said a think-tank report.
Source: Rachel Jupp, Getting Down to Business: An Agenda for Corporate Social Innovation, Demos, available from Central Books (020 8986 5488)
Links: Summary
Date: 2002-Jul
The government published a White Paper on the reform of company law, proposing a 'modern, cost-effective, fair and transparent system': directors' duties would be codified, and reporting requirements reduced for small companies.
Source: Modernising Company Law, White Paper Cm 5553-I, Department of Trade and Industry, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: White Paper (pdf) | Summary (pdf)
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/1, Digest 121, paragraph 7.2
Date: 2002-Jul
Research found that most leading organisations recognise developing diversity as important to their success.
Source: The Business of Diversity: How Organisations in the Public & Private Sectors are Integrating Equality and Diversity to Enhance Business Performance, Schneider-Ross (01264 882400)
Links: Summary
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/3, Digest 123 (paragraph 7.2)
Date: 2002-Jun
The government published regulations forcing companies to disclose executive pay levels, and put remuneration policies to shareholders for endorsement.
Source: The Directors' Remuneration Report Regulations 2002, Statutory Instrument 1986, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Statutory Instrument
Date: 2002-Jun