Elizabeth Michael in the Community

Corporate social responsibility

Community involvement is important to us. See some of our stories here »

Introduction

The term Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) captures the important concept that our business does not exist in a vacuum. Elizabeth Michael (EM) has a network of relationships with stakeholders, the closest of whom are our employees, our clients and our candidates. We also have relationships with key associates, suppliers and the wider community in which we operate. EM conducts its business in an ethical way, taking account of the impact we have economically, socially, environmental and in terms of human rights. In all the relationships we have, our core values apply. We inspire trust through our honesty and integrity. We exceed expectations. We respect peoples’ dignity and privacy. These elements all add credibility to our employer brand, which is how we wish to be seen as behaving. We call this "The Elizabeth Michael Way".

The business benefits of CSR

We recognize that positive relationships are key to our success and sustainable business growth. EM is proud of its reputation in the market place, a reputation build on core values. We are proactive about promoting our core values, both within EM and outside. We see this as source of competitive advantage. We are trusted and respected by those we do business with. EM sees CSR, particularly volunteering, as a way of developing skill and widening our peoples’ understanding of society as a whole. Skills, knowledge, and confidence developed can in turn be applied to the business context. Our people

EM is a people business. We are committed to excellent standards of employment and seek to engage our people in the business. We encourage people to grow and meet new challenges. We advocate teamwork and collaboration in a safe and healthy workplace. We make it clear as to what is expected of our people and enable them to achieve, rewarding the development of skill, business results and the right behaviours.

We encourage respect for individual differences and our policies are applied in accordance with respect for equal opportunities.

People make a more telling contribution when they have a strong personal identification with their employee. We believe people are proud to be associated with Elizabeth Michael.

Our clients and candidates

We see ourselves as operating at the touch point between these groups that we bring together for mutual benefit. Our clients and candidates want to be associated with us as their personal values are in tune with ours. The best job we can do is to put the right person into the right job at the right time with the right company. We do this in an open and honest way, ensuring that the client focuses on the ability to do the job and that the candidate is a great fit for the role.

We know we are trusted. This is evidenced by our retained clients and 40% of candidates registered being peer referrals.

The wider community

Getting involved with our community can have a major positive effect on other peoples’ lives. We get involved through volunteering, regular sponsorship and charitable donations.

Colleagues from EMA have at various times supported local churches, youth groups such as sports clubs and the Brownies. Our MD has been Chair of school governors and our HR Consultant, Chair of the Nottingham Area Board for Young Enterprise.

The national charity we support is Nottingham based, “Wish upon a Star”. We also have supported Emmanuel House, a Day Centre working with vulnerable & disadvantaged people who may be experiencing problems such as homelessness, mental health difficulties, drug or alcohol dependency and / or learning difficulties.

Our focus is on education

Our future, and indeed that of many of our clients in the East Midlands will be, in part governed by the workforce that is available to us. This is not only in terms of technical skills, but attitudes, behaviours, opportunity and economic inclusion.

These requirements for a profitable future are encapsulated in the "The Elizabeth Michael Way." This is the phrase we use to describe the way we do things, our business values, what we are proud of, how we behave in our business transactions, how we aspire to be seen by everybody who comes into contact with us. It also describes our willingness to get involved, to put in that little bit extra to make a difference.

At the beginning of 2007 we took a decision to adopt Berridge Primary School with the objective to support the Head Teachers and all the staff at one of Nottingham’s inner city schools. We feel that bringing our business acumen into the school environment will create opportunity and benefit for all involved.