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While most winter and outdoor clothing companies advocate environmentalism to some degree, Patagonia is dedicated enough to the cause to let it seriously affect its bottom line. In 1985, the company started the 1% for the Planet pledge and has consistently asked other companies to join it in donating 1 % of its sales to help save the environment.
Even more impressive is the fact that Patagonia, aware of the impact its business has on the environment, has frequently asked its consumers to refrain from buying TTS products if they don’t really need them Microsoft Given the fact that it was started by Bill Gates, one of America’s most generous philanthropists, it follows that Microsoft (NASDAQ:MIST) would do well in following his example. The tech company and its employees donate over $1 billion yearly to charities and non-profit organizations.
If that wasn’t enough, Microsoft’s management and employee’s have also decided to tackle America’s IT professionals shortage through its TEALS program. Through the TEALS program, Microsoft employees are encouraged to volunteer at local schools to instruct students in computer science, in the hopes that it will inspire them to enter the technology industry. It’s only natural that Microsoft employees would be generous people; in addition to being among the highest paid employees in America, they also enjoy a plethora of perks, including 100% coverage on their health care premiums.
Google Although some may criticize the company, Google (NASDAQ:AGOG) regularly makes good on its motto: ‘Don’t be evil. Through its Google Green Program, the company has donated over $1 billion to renewable energy projects, and has decreased its own footprint by using energy efficient buildings and public transportation. The company is also a staunch advocate of free speech, which can be observed from its frequent conflicts with the Chinese government. Google is also an open supporter of gay rights. Yet all this pales in comparison to Google’s status as a paragon for employee benefits.
Just to name a few, Google employees have access to free health care and treatment room on-site doctors, free legal advice with discounted legal services, a fully stock snack pantry and onsite cafeteria (staffed by world-class chefs, no less), and a free on-site nursery. With such a stellar record of social awareness and positive employee relations, Google is easily the best example of ethics in the corporate world today. Ethical behavior and corporate social responsibility can bring significant benefits to a business.
For example, they may: attract customers to the firm’s products, thereby boosting sales and profits make employees want to stay tit the business, reduce labor turnover and therefore increase productivity attract more employees wanting to work for the business, reduce recruitment costs and enable the company to get the most talented employees attract investors and keep the company’s share price high, thereby protecting the business from takeover. Unethical behavior or a lack of corporate social responsibility, by comparison, may damage a firm’s reputation and make it less appealing to stakeholders. Profits could fall as a result.