Patrick Haslett
Product Manager – Ibec
As we celebrate community impact this season, leading businesses are expanding their understanding of CSR. True social responsibility implies dual commitment: supporting society externally and nurturing your workforce internally.
Irish businesses have a proud tradition of supporting their communities, particularly during the winter months. As we look toward 2026, the meaning of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is expanding naturally. To build a truly resilient and responsible organisation, the care we extend to our communities should be matched by the care we extend to our own people.
Employee wellbeing is the ‘social’ engine of sustainability. It is not merely about perks or health promotion — it is about nurturing the subjective, day-to-day experience of work. When an organisation’s culture is healthy, inclusive and psychologically safe, employees feel empowered to contribute more effectively to both business goals and wider societal impact.
A structured approach to impact
Just as effective philanthropy requires strategy, building a thriving workplace requires a structured, evidence-based framework. We encourage Irish organisations to view wellbeing through a systemic lens.
National standards, such as The KeepWell Mark, guide companies through eight core pillars of best practice — ranging from ‘Leadership’, ‘Inclusion and Belonging’ and ‘Mental Health’ to ‘Talent Support and Development’. Adopting such a framework allows businesses to benchmark their internal social impact with the same rigour they apply to external reporting.
To build a truly resilient and responsible organisation, the care we extend to our communities should be matched by the care we extend to our own people.
The sustainability dividend
The connection between internal wellbeing and external CSR is clear. Companies that commit to the wellbeing of their employees will unlock significant, evidenced value, including increased productivity, stronger recruitment/retention and superior business performance.
Expert guidance for the journey
Whether you are an established multinational or a growing SME, creating a sustainable ‘human operating system’ is a journey best taken with support. Ibec offers dedicated guidance to help you align your internal practices with your broader CSR goals. From strategic workshops to more specific consultancy, we can help turn good intentions into lasting cultural change.
