Infosys bags Australian corporate social responsibility award

BANGALORE: Infosys, a global leader in consulting, technology and outsourcing, today declared that it has been presented with the 2013 Ian Kiernan Award for Corporate Social Responsibility by the Australian Human Resources Institute. Titled after prominent Australian environmentalist Ian Kiernan AO, the national award goes on to hallmark Infosys for its success in augmenting its corporate social responsibility (CSR) program and becoming more inclusive and meaningful for its staff, beneficiaries and the Australian community at large.

Highpoints:

Infosys began a comprehensive review and revitalisation of its previous donation-led CSR program in 2010. A three-pronged strategy encompassing volunteering opportunities by the company, steered by example and endorsing employee-led social consciousness activities helped Infosys swell employee engagement and community impact.

Volunteering: Infosys from its barrio was able to dramatically increase the partaking rate in active volunteering to more than 700 Infosys employees across Australia and New Zealand. As a case in point, more than 50 employees are currently regular volunteers at the Ozanam House kitchen, a St Vincent De Paul facility supporting homeless people in Melbourne

Leadership by example: Infosys employees indicated that they sought more involvement from the local leadership team in the company’s CSR initiatives. In addition to acting as the sponsor for the CSR Committee, Jackie Korhonen, Infosys Senior Vice President and Country Head for Australia and New Zealand, has been an active participant in activities such as the CEO Sleepout and Mother’s Day Classic, raising awareness and funds to benefit breast cancer causes and the homeless in Australia

Employee-led social consciousness: Infosys from its quarter has provided donations and offered paid leave to support volunteerism among employees to drive their own social consciousness initiatives. For instance, Infosys employees have been active participants in the Australian arm of Random Hacks of Kindness, a global collaboration of technology and community experts who come together to develop technology solutions for natural disasters and other community challenges

The Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI) is the country’s national association representing human resource and people management professionals. The AHRI awards recognise HR and business leaders in addition to companies for best practice initiatives and innovative projects.

Jackie Korhonen, Infosys Senior Vice President and Country Head for Australia and New Zealand purported that – “I am thrilled to see this recognition of more than 700 Infosys employees who are active volunteers in Infosys-sponsored CSR initiatives. As much as they have contributed, our people are telling us that they are getting back more: building stronger connections with each other and with our community through active participation such as volunteering, goods donations and pro bono work.”