You don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone.

Leadership has a responsibility to employees – one that transcends a 401k and affordable healthcare. After working with a privately-held company for nearly a decade, I see the frustration and resulting departure of many workers who are forced to leave because they’re unable to achieve their professional goals.

As part of the now-required jargon of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), employees are asked to give to charities the company supports by taking time off of their weekends & with family – or by donating money – so the company could “match” the donations. This highly-encouraged but optional participation was communicated as team-building activities. And execs then couldn’t understand why no one was interested in “giving back”.

Employees are more likely to donate to baby showers, cancer funds, or birthday gifts. Rather than have the company donate $25k to the Whole Planet Foundation, I’d rather see them help with my co-worker’s childcare, continuing professional development, or medical expenses.

So, CSR looks really shiny from the outside, but it’s hard to get behind when you can’t get ahead.