For them, there is no question of waiting for the example to come from above. Many companies have been committed since their inception to a corporate social responsibility (CSR) approach. Behind this acronym hides a whole range of concrete actions implemented to meet environmental and social commitments.
In the Tech sector, employers sometimes struggle to recruit. For their part, employees are increasingly expressing a quest for meaning. For them, it is no longer a question of working for companies that do not stick to their ethical values, or of sacrificing their personal life for a mission that is not worth it.
In the Nantes region, these issues are particularly taken into account by innovative companies. We have just decided to discuss with two of them who are committed to a CSR approach and who are now reaping the benefits. These strategies have enabled them to improve their employer brand, enough to attract qualified tech profiles who are very attentive to the societal values promoted by their employers.
Nantes companies are committed
During our discussions with Nantes companies, one thing is immediately striking: their commitment to environmental and social values.
This is, for example, the case of Délia Technologies, a digital services company created in 2019. Camille Guilbault, human resources manager, specifies: “ From the start, the idea was not to be solely focused on business but to turn to the Nantes ecosystem. The ambition is also to put in place the conditions for employees to flourish within the company. »
The whole will be formalized in 2021 when Délia Technologies becomes a mission-based company. Julia Caillet, president of the internal mission committee in charge of CSR, explains:
This materializes through the various actions that we put in place locally. In concrete terms, all of our clients are local. We are also trying to limit our carbon footprint through various initiatives, such as waste collection in the city center. We also collect digital equipment (cables, computers, mice, etc.) and donate them to an association that repairs them and offers them to people in need.
Délia Technologies also takes care of the well-being of its employees by covering 70% of the cost of the mutual. Efforts are also made to encourage soft mobility with the establishment of a package for all those who practice carpooling and cycling.
Finally, Délia pampers newcomers to the Nantes region by joining forces with the Switch Up platform, which helps employees settle in, in particular by helping them find accommodation or manage administrative procedures.
ASI, a digital expertise firm that supports large and medium-sized companies in their digital transformation, is not to be outdone on this issue. In 2009, the company carried out its first carbon assessment, which resulted in the implementation of concrete actions to reduce emissions.
But in 2018, everything changed. ” We tackled the heart of the reactor: digital technology and its impact on the environment “, analyzes Magali Barbey, Marketing, Communication and CSR Director, of the company.
She continues: “ We know that digital represents 4% of carbon emissions, but the growth today is exponential and unsustainable. Our thinking materialized in the definition of a purpose: to act for a responsible digital world at the service of people. We then launched a roadmap to translate it into actions. »
This has translated concretely into an extension of the lifespan of the equipment within the company. For example, computers are kept for at least 4 years, until they no longer meet the needs of employees. Similarly, the servers, which were 200 in number, are now virtualized in the form of three physical machines at a host that meets the latest environmental standards.
ASI also monitors the well-being of its employees and this is reflected in the awarding of the Happy at Work label awarded by ChooseMyCompany. At the end of an independent survey conducted among employees on their feelings and fulfillment at work. The company can be proud of its evolution with an improvement in its rating over time.
When commitment makes it possible to recruit better
Nantes companies have clearly made their environmental and social commitment a real recruitment argument. ” We address these issues during the interviews. The idea is that the people we hire share the same values as us. We feel that there is a demand from candidates to have a more responsible company », Details Camille Guilbault.
Magali Barbey agrees: “ We systematically present our CSR approach to candidates. It’s about our corporate culture, and it’s important that people who want to join us share it. It is also an attractiveness criterion for candidates to say to themselves: “I am joining a company that is committed to responsible digital technology and the quality of life at work” “.
On the whole, our interlocutors confirm that, while it is sometimes difficult to attract talent, the younger generations are today very sensitive to the responsibility of companies in terms of climate change. This can also be seen in the themes of quality of life at work. For candidates, evolving in a society that respects the right to disconnect is very important.
In this context, Nantes has particular strengths to highlight. Camille Guilbault also explains: ” We feel that a city like Nantes is very green and committed, and that many actions are carried out in this direction. This is reflected in the candidates. »
Magali Barbey confirms this vision: “ The Nantes ecosystem, all sectors combined, has always been ahead on these subjects. Many initiatives are taken at the local level. For example, we took part in the business convention for the climate this year and we are working on creating a local version of this national initiative. »
The West of France definitely has arguments to put forward, and it is a breeding ground for very strong commitment to CSR and the environment.
