Corporate social responsibility

The RCN is working on the development of a corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy and action plan for the organisation.

What is corporate social responsibility?

The RCN uses the concept of corporate social responsibility to refer to the ways in which the RCN impacts upon society and the environment and the need to deal responsibly and ethically with our stakeholders both locally and globally. This approach is based on a number of guiding principles which are shown below.

Guiding principles treat employees fairly and equitably operate ethically and with integrity respect basic human rights sustain the environment for future generations be a caring neighbour in our communities corporate social responsibility cannot be separated from the RCN’s overall mission to build, protect, represent and support the interests of RCN members and patients.

The Sustainable Development Commission Good Corporate Citizenship describes how NHS organisations can embrace sustainable development and tackle health inequalities through their day-to-day activities. This means using NHS organisations’ corporate powers and resources in ways that benefit rather than damage the social, economic and environmental conditions in which we live. How the NHS behaves - as an employer, a purchaser of goods and services, a manager of transport, energy, waste and water, as a landholder and commissioner of building work and as an influential neighbour in many communities - can make a big difference to people’s health and to the well being of society, the economy and the environment.

What are your top tips?

Tell us about what works for you and your organisation. Your examples of best practice will be used to inform others as well as help us to finalise our action plan. Email: diversity.team@rcn.org.uk

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