ESG News from Leading Brands

Social Impact & Volunteering

Corporate Volunteering Does Not Increase Employee Engagement

Feb 17, 2016 9:35 AM ET

Eggs are great for dessert.

Sounds absurd, right? No chef lists “poached eggs” on the dessert menu. Here’s an equally absurd statement:

Corporate volunteering is great for employee engagement.

Employee volunteer managers should not state this. I’ve helped over a dozen companies measure the relationship between participation in volunteer activities and employee engagement, or willingness to do more than the job minimally requires. Evidently, most volunteering does not drive employee engagement.

Education

Award-winning MD/PhD Student Explains Impact of Amgen Scholars Program

Feb 17, 2016 9:30 AM ET

Early on in his undergraduate career, Paras Minhas found a passion for science — and humanitarianism. Even before participating in the 2012 MIT Amgen Scholars Program, he began building experience in scientific research laboratories at Johns Hopkins University and the Mayo Clinic.

Education

Twenty Booz Allen Employees to be Named Modern Day Technology Leaders at BEYA Conference

Feb 17, 2016 9:00 AM ET

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

America Saves Week is Education Opportunity for Employers

Feb 17, 2016 9:00 AM ET

The fact is, we’re living longer and saving less. It’s not uncommon today for retirement to last 20 or 30 years. And yet, more than half of all working-age households are inadequately prepared for retirement, and the number is climbing, according to EBRI data.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

GRI Launches GOLD Community to Shape the Future of Sustainability

Feb 16, 2016 11:00 PM ET

Events, Media & Communications

Booz Allen Hamilton Joins in #VABrainTrust Hackathon to Improve Access to Healthcare for Veterans

Feb 16, 2016 5:40 PM ET

MyVA Partnerships, the VA Center for Innovation, Capital Factory, Galvanize, and Booz Allen Hamilton will host the #VABrainTrust Hackathon to develop brain health innovations for Veterans experiencing mild TBI (mTBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

JPMorgan Chase and Employees to Donate up to $350,000 to Aid Flint Water Crisis

Feb 16, 2016 5:00 PM ET

PMorgan Chase & Co. today announced up to $350,000 in donations from its foundation and employees to help children affected by the Flint water crisis.

Education

Sodexo Selected by the University of Maine System to Provide Contract Dining Operations at Six Institutions

Feb 16, 2016 4:45 PM ET

The University of Maine System (UMS), the state’s largest educational enterprise, selected Sodexo, a leader in delivering sustainable, integrated facilities management and foodservice operations to provide dining hall, retail, and food catering services at six of the system’s seven universities. Through this five-year contract, with option for five one-year renewals, Sodexo will begin managing those services for the UMS starting on July 1, 2016.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Bristol-Myers Squibb Ranks No. 2 Among Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies in Biotech for 2016

Feb 16, 2016 4:25 PM ET

We are honored and proud that Bristol-Myers Squibb is among Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies for 2016 and that our passion for developing and delivering transformational medicines helped earn us the number two spot in the rankings’ Biotech category this year.

Innovation & Technology

Amazon Picks Up Its Game with New Sustainability Dream Team

Feb 16, 2016 4:00 PM ET

If you type the words “Amazon sustainability” into Google, the first thing that comes up in the search is a link to books about sustainability that the online retail giant sells.

Environment

What the Electronics Industry Should Learn From the Automotive Industry

Feb 16, 2016 3:35 PM ET

I don’t know any people who talk about needing to recycle their car. You can sell your car, donate your car, or trade it in.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

EU Conflict Minerals: Trialogue Negotiations Have Begun

Feb 16, 2016 3:30 PM ET

The Netherlands have vocalized their adamancy about finalizing the negotiations by the end of their term, however the complexity of the directive could push the decision into the next period. The trialogue negotiations signify the last step of the directive process.

Diversity & Inclusion

In Our Name Initiative Stimulates Grassroots Discussion of Criminal Justice Reform

Feb 16, 2016 3:15 PM ET

Criminal justice reform can begin at the grassroots level, and communities of faith have a role to play. That's the context for a March 12 community forum in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., titled “Criminal Justice Reform: Motivating and Mobilizing the Faith Community for Restorative Justice.”

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

MGM Resorts Joins Community in Dedicating Nevada's First Fisher House for Military Families

Feb 16, 2016 3:00 PM ET

A longstanding supporter of U.S. military personnel, MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) pledged a $250,000 donation to the Nevada Military Support Alliance (NMSA) to help build the state’s first Fisher House for military families. MGM Resorts joined military and community leaders in celebrating the completion of the Fisher House.

Social Impact & Volunteering

#LocalMotive: The CSX Story Told By People

Feb 16, 2016 3:00 PM ET

Environment

Designing for Our Love of Nature

Feb 16, 2016 3:00 PM ET

Biophilia. There’s your answer. A method of design in which the connection between humans and the environment is embraced and enhanced, rather than fought against.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Welcomed Two Kimberly-Clark Corp. Buildings, Both in Neenah, as Tier 1 Structures in the Agency's Green Tier Program

Feb 16, 2016 2:30 PM ET

Kimberly-Clark's Neenah Cold Spring and Neenah Nonwovens facilities in Winnebago County celebrated their entrance into Tier 1 of the Green Tier program January 21 at their corporate headquarters in Neenah.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Stakeholder to Shareholder Alchemy: What CSR Can Do for Corporate Reputations OR How CSR Integrates with Brand Strategy

Feb 16, 2016 12:30 PM ET

A lot of people see CSR – rightfully- as giving back. My own thoughts are not far from this tangent. Fruits of labor are all about reaping what you sow – and with CSR, the harvest is turning out to be plentiful. In this post, I explore the exciting potential that CSR has begun to demonstrate in terms of sound brand strategy.

Health & Healthcare

Small Changes Can Make a Big Difference to Your Heart Health

Feb 16, 2016 12:00 PM ET

February is American Heart Month, a great time to commit to a healthy lifestyle by making small changes and incorporating more heart-healthy behaviors that can lead to better heart health. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in America.

Diversity & Inclusion

Practitioner Spotlight--Pamela Gordon

Feb 16, 2016 11:45 AM ET

Let's take a look at some of Antea Group's most valuable resources--its people! Next up is sustainability and operational performance and assurance senior consultant Pamela Gordon, who talks to us about her favorite projects, what she loves about her work, and where she'd go on a dream vacation.

Education

Imagination Foundation Launches 2016 Inventor’s Challenge in Collaboration With AT&T Aspire

Feb 16, 2016 11:35 AM ET

Today, AT&T* and the Imagination Foundation are launching The Inventor’s Challenge. The Inventor’s Challenge is an opportunity for pre-K through high school children to create novel, imaginative and possibly viable solutions to all sorts of problems. A common factor in the creations will be the integration of science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM). The Inventor’s Challenge engages children in STEAM tools and materials, alongside critical 21st century skills.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

American Red Cross Recognizes Cox Automotive for Contribution to Disaster Responder Program

Feb 16, 2016 11:10 AM ET

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

JetBlue Celebrates Black History Month – Inspiring the Next Generation of Aviators

Feb 16, 2016 11:05 AM ET

Aviation is not often a career choice for students of color. When thinking of pilots of color, the illustrious Tuskegee Airmen come to mind.

Research, Reports & Publications

Integrated Performance Report Reflects Significant Ways Medtronic Creates Value to Society

Feb 16, 2016 11:00 AM ET

At Medtronic, our Mission compels us to play a leadership role in solving global healthcare challenges. Our thoughtful approach to therapy innovation, globalization, and economic value – combined with smart financial management and good corporate citizenship – creates value to society in significant ways.

In particular, we create value by increasing access to care, advancing patient safety, maintaining financial strength, and investing in our communities. Our performance related to these issues is detailed in the Company’s FY2015 Integrated Performance Report, “Further, Together.”

Social Impact & Volunteering

What the Rise of Skills-Based Volunteering Means for Nonprofits

Feb 16, 2016 11:00 AM ET

Over the past ten years, the private sector has vastly increased their investment in communities. In 2015, 75% of companies were engaged in corporate citizenship activities.