OutSec's Green Policy Statement

OutSec has a strong commitment to the vitally important issue of climate change. It is OutSec's aim to conduct its business operations in a manner that safeguards and sustains the global environment. We are also in a very strong position to deliver real benefits to our clients in reducing their carbon footprint. As a company we also endeavour to practice what we preach!

We have prepared this policy statement to make clear exactly how and why we implement such actions that we hope will reduce carbon emissions and help save this beautiful planet of ours for future generations.

OutSec is Green

OutSec has a clear position on climate change. We have sought advice on "Green" issues and how to reduce our company Carbon Footprint. We follow strict criteria regarding environmental sustainability as outlined by the relevant authorities. Our Green Code of "Responsible Growth" focuses on four key areas:

These four main areas can be further expanded by the following Code of Practice:

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

CSR is about how businesses take account of their economic, social and environmental impact- maximising the benefits and minimising the downsides of the way they operate. CSR is defined by the CBI as the acknowledgement by companies that they should be accountable for the impact of their activities on society and/or the environment.

Minimum legal requirements

The minimum level of behaviour for any organisation is to meet the legal requirements and ensure compliance in areas such as environmental protection, health & safety and employment rights.

The 2006 Companies Act introduced a requirement for public companies to report on social and environmental matters while the government had previously made changes to the 1995 Pensions Act requiring pension funds to disclose the extent to which they take social, environmental and ethical issues into account when investing money.

The Government approach is to encourage and incentivise the adoption of CSR, through providing guidance best practice, and, where appropriate, through regulation and incentives.

Going beyond these bare minimums

CSR is about the voluntary actions that business can take, over and above compliance with minimum legal requirements, to address both its own competitive interests and the interests of the wider society. This may include philanthropy and engagement with the community through activities such as employee volunteering or other gifts in kind, as well as the company's stance on the environment and ethical conduct both within and outside the organisation.

The recognised benefits of implementing CSR policies is that it makes companies more attractive to potential and existing employees, giving them a better brand and reputation, and assisting in making decisions that are better for the business in the long term. The obvious benefits of this make successful CSR a desirable achievement, although confusion can leave many companies with a non-cohesive programme.

Why have a clear CSR policy?

The benefit of having a clear policy is to provide cohesion while it is recognised that the best and most successful companies have been the socially responsible ones.

Studies have shown that workers who are satisfied with a CSR are more engaged and positive while those who are satisfied with their company's commitment to social responsibility have positive views about their employer. They are far more likely to rate senior management as having high integrity believing them to be more likely to follow through on what they say and provide a strong sense of direction.

It also affects employees' views of the business in several other key areas - including its sense of direction, competitiveness, integrity, interest in their well-being, and employee engagement.

Businesses that recognise the value of social responsibility often have employees who tend to be more satisfied with their jobs, adopt similar values, and become more committed to achieving success within the industry.

Employees also have higher levels of engagement which drives both morale and business results, because people want to be associated with a successful organisation that has a positive image and making it easier to attract the best graduates.

There is clearly the potential for CSR to play an important role in attracting, retaining and motivating staff and is being increasingly recognised as being such a tool.

OutSec can help our clients and typists be Green

That all reads very well, but what about reality? OutSec is in an almost unique business position in being able to make a very real difference almost immediately to global warming. How?