From empowering thousands with tech skills to restoring lakes through community partnerships, Hinduja Global Solutions (HGS) is making a significant social and environmental impact. Their commitment goes beyond one-off initiatives, evident in sustained programs like 'Work to Give,' which mobilizes employees to volunteer in community-focused events. Meanwhile, the HGS Eco Club fosters a culture of sustainability, engaging a significant portion of HGS's workforce in actively contributing to environmental causes.
In this comprehensive interview with TheCSRUniverse, Ms. Shilpa Sinha Harsh, Senior Vice President of Global Corporate Communications, CSR, and DEI at HGS, discusses the company's strategic approach to creating social impact. She delves into HGS's focus areas—health, education, water conservation, and support for persons with disabilities—and impactful initiatives like 'Skills for Her' that empower young women. She also reveals how the company ensures inclusivity, supports career development, and leverages digital expertise for environmental challenges, all while building a diverse workforce.
This conversation unveils HGS's vision for a more sustainable future, reflecting their commitment to staying ahead of evolving societal needs and global trends.
Scroll down for detailed insights and explore how HGS is making a meaningful difference.
Q&A
Q. What are the foundational pillars or core focus areas guiding HGS's broader CSR and sustainability goals and initiatives, and how does the company prioritize these areas to maximize positive impact on society and the environment?
A. Hinduja Global Solutions (HGS) champions Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), focusing on Health, Skilling, Education, Support for Persons with Disabilities (PwD), and Water Conservation, among numerous other initiatives. Our CSR efforts, inspired by our Hinduja Group’s founder philosophy, "My Dharma (Duty) is to work so that I can give," are evident in our 'Work to Give' program. This initiative has mobilized over 70,000 employees to volunteer more than 100,000 hours in social impact events, fostering a strong culture of corporate citizenship since 2016.
Every year HGS spends a significant amount towards charitable causes as part of its obligations. We have supported over 40 distinct social initiatives, demonstrating our broad and deep commitment to creating a positive impact. This commitment extends to significant environmental efforts, such as water rejuvenation projects including lake rehabilitation and afforestation, which highlight our dedication to sustainability.
These initiatives represent just a fraction of our extensive CSR activities, showcasing our belief in the integral connection between corporate success and social welfare. As HGS continues to expand its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices, our focus remains on making a substantial and meaningful difference in society and the environment.
Q. How does HGS ensure gender inclusivity in skilling initiatives like Skills for Her, and how does this contribute to broader diversity goals? Does the program facilitate mentorship or networking with industry professionals? Can you provide any examples?
A. HGS is ardently focused on fostering gender inclusivity through our skilling initiatives, particularly with programs like ‘Skills for Her’. We aim to empower youth, with a special emphasis on young girls, ensuring their representation not only in tech but across various workplace domains. Our commitment to gender inclusivity is evident in our support for foundational courses in coding and emerging technologies through Skills for Her, alongside AI/ML courses specifically designed for women in partnership with the International Institute of Information Technology Bangalore (IIIT-B).
A cornerstone of our efforts is the Youth Livelihood program in collaboration with Magic Bus, where over 60% of the 5,000 beneficiaries are women. This initiative has been instrumental in not only supporting women to supplement their family income but also in empowering them to become primary earners, illustrating the transformative power of skilling and education.
These initiatives are integral to HGS's broader diversity goals, aiming to bring more women into the workplace and foster a more inclusive economy. By providing mentorship and networking opportunities with industry professionals, we ensure that participants receive guidance, support, and real-world insights, further enhancing their career prospects and impact.
Such efforts underscore our belief in the critical role of gender inclusivity in building a diverse and resilient workforce, demonstrating HGS's commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for women across sectors.
Q. How does HGS support program graduates beyond job placement, particularly in career advancement and ongoing skill enhancement? How are social and emotional barriers addressed for disadvantaged youth?
A. HGS extends its commitment beyond skilling and employment, focusing on the holistic development and long-term success of our program graduates. Our efforts to monitor and enhance retention, performance, and candidate quality through comprehensive post-placement support are part of a broader strategy to ensure meaningful, lasting career paths for those we serve. Integral to this strategy is the formation of alumni networks, providing vital connections that foster professional growth, community support, and access to new opportunities.
One innovative example of how we address emotional support is through our early intervention initiative in education. In partnership with the Learning Links Foundation (LLF), HGS has embarked on a transformative journey in 10 Government High Schools across Chennai. This initiative, aimed at enriching the educational and developmental environment, notably includes the ‘Positive Parenting Intervention’. This program engages parents and communities in their children's emotional well-being and education, promoting positive reinforcement over punitive measures. By encouraging a supportive home environment, we've seen remarkable outcomes in children's development and learning. The success stories from parents and trainers about this positive, reinforcement-based approach highlight its effectiveness in contributing to a healthier, more nurturing upbringing.
These efforts exemplify HGS's dedication to not just professional but also personal development, ensuring our skilling programs foster resilient, capable individuals who make a positive impact on their workplaces and communities.
Q. Can you share insights into the specific challenges faced and innovative solutions implemented by HGS in collaborating with partners like Magic Bus Foundation and NASSCOM Foundation to scale and sustain impactful CSR initiatives like the Youth Livelihood Program and Skills for Her?
A. Here are some of the challenges:
Adapting to Scale: The need to expand these initiatives without diluting their effectiveness highlighted the potential for leveraging blended learning models. Combining digital platforms with traditional, in-person instruction allowed us to tailor our approach to various learning environments, ensuring broader, more inclusive access to our programs.
Enhancing Engagement: Participant engagement, especially in underserved areas, prompted us to rethink our engagement strategies. This led to the introduction of mobile learning solutions and the integration of community and family into the learning journey, fostering a supportive ecosystem that enhances participant commitment and program sustainability.
Continuous Improvement: These challenges have underscored the importance of continuous innovation in our CSR initiatives. By fostering a culture of learning and adaptation, HGS and our partners are committed to refining our approaches, ensuring they remain effective and impactful in changing landscapes.
Q. How does HGS integrate sustainability principles into its core business operations beyond standalone initiatives like the HGS Eco-Club, ensuring alignment with broader environmental, social, and governance (ESG) objectives?
A. HGS is deeply committed to integrating sustainability principles into our core business operations, aligning with our broader Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) objectives. Even though our operations are not majorly polluting by nature, we diligently focus on impactful environmental actions, categorized into initiatives within and beyond our organizational boundaries.
Within the Fence: At the organizational level, HGS emphasizes water sustainability through comprehensive strategies that include reducing water consumption, improving water use efficiency, and implementing recycling practices. We actively engage our employees in sustainability education, encouraging them to adopt eco-friendly practices within their daily routines and workspaces.
Around the Fence: Externally, HGS extends its commitment to environmental stewardship through actions aimed at enhancing water sustainability in the communities where we operate. This involves water rejuvenation projects such as lake rehabilitation and afforestation, coupled with initiatives to reduce, reuse, and recycle water resources. Community education initiatives further reinforce our efforts, promoting broader awareness and adoption of sustainable practices.
Beyond the Fence: Expanding our impact, HGS also aims to influence public policy and action on environmental sustainability. Through advocacy, partnerships, and collaborative projects, we contribute to shaping policies and practices that support water sustainability and broader environmental goals. Our efforts to influence public policy underscore our commitment to driving systemic change, leveraging our corporate influence for the greater good.
By adopting a multi-faceted approach that encompasses organizational actions, community involvement, and advocacy, HGS ensures that sustainability is woven into the fabric of our operations. This holistic strategy affirms our dedication to environmental stewardship and aligns with our mission to contribute positively to the planet and its people.
Q. What mechanisms does HGS have in place to engage employees in environmental conservation efforts through the Eco-Club, and how does the company encourage active participation and ownership among its workforce?
A. The formation of the Eco-Club is a testament to our efforts towards creating a stronger focus on environmental conservation within our workforce. Beyond this specific initiative, we employ several generic mechanisms to encourage active participation and ownership among our employees in our broader sustainability goals.
Awareness and Education: We conduct regular campaigns and workshops to enhance employee awareness about key environmental issues and sustainable practices. By emphasizing the importance of individual and collective actions, we inspire employees to incorporate eco-friendly habits into their daily lives.
Volunteering Opportunities: Drawing from our strong volunteering culture, we provide employees with numerous opportunities to participate in environmental conservation activities. Through the Work to Give volunteering platform, we are able to co-ordinate volunteering activities within the organization. These range from community clean-up efforts to tree planting initiatives, enabling them to make a direct impact on the environment while fostering team spirit and personal satisfaction.
Recognition and Incentives: Employees who demonstrate outstanding commitment to sustainability efforts are recognized and rewarded. This may include acknowledgments in company communications and awards for environmental contributions, motivating further participation and innovation in sustainability initiatives.
Employee-Led Initiatives: We empower our employees to propose and lead their sustainability projects. By supporting these initiatives with necessary resources, we encourage a sense of ownership and active involvement in achieving our environmental objectives.
Collaboration with External Organizations: HGS collaborates with various environmental organizations and experts to extend our impact beyond our immediate operations. This not only broadens our sustainability efforts but also provides employees with a wider perspective on environmental conservation and the role they can play on a global scale.
Through these approaches, HGS fosters a culture where sustainability is not just a corporate objective but a shared responsibility embraced by all employees. Our commitment to environmental conservation is reflected in the collective action of our workforce, driving us towards a more sustainable future.
Q. Could you provide examples of how HGS leverages its expertise in digital transformation and business process management to address environmental challenges and drive sustainable innovation within its operations and client engagements?
A. There are two prime ways in which HGS leverages its deep domain expertise to address environmental issues:
Digital Efficiency in Operations: HGS implements advanced digital tools and platforms to streamline operations, significantly reducing the need for physical resources and lowering our carbon footprint. For instance, by adopting cloud computing and virtualization, we've minimized our data center emissions. Similarly, digital documentation and e-signatures have drastically cut down on paper usage across our offices.
Remote Work Solutions: In addition to going almost completely remote in specific geographies such as Canada and the UK, HGS also offers Work@Home Virtual CX as a service to our clients. Capitalizing on our digital transformation capabilities, we've expanded remote work arrangements, not only as a response to global challenges but as a strategic move towards sustainability. This shift has led to a reduction in commuting and office energy consumption, showcasing how digital workplaces can contribute to environmental goals.
Q. How does HGS ensure the scalability and replicability of its CSR and sustainability initiatives across different regions and contexts, considering the diverse socio-economic landscapes in which the company operates?
A. HGS is keenly aware of the diverse socio-economic landscapes across the regions we operate in, which necessitates a tailored approach to ensure the scalability and replicability of our CSR and sustainability initiatives. Our strategy hinges on leveraging local expertise while fostering global collaboration to address community-specific needs effectively.
Local CSR Teams: Central to our approach is the establishment of dedicated local CSR teams in each geography. These teams deeply understand the unique challenges and opportunities within their respective communities. By connecting directly with local communities, these teams are pivotal in identifying pressing needs and designing interventions that resonate locally.
Collaboration with Local NGOs: Our local CSR teams work closely with local NGOs, forming strategic partnerships that are instrumental in crafting and implementing volunteering interventions. This collaboration ensures that our initiatives are grounded in local realities and can leverage the NGOs' expertise and networks for greater impact.
Global NGO Associations: Through our concerted efforts across six geographies, HGS has built associations with over 30 global NGOs. This expansive network enables us to tap into a wealth of knowledge and resources, ensuring our volunteering efforts are informed by best practices and innovative solutions that can be adapted to different contexts.
Decentralized Decision-Making: The decision on which causes to support is made by the local teams, allowing for a high degree of flexibility and relevance. This decentralized approach ensures that our CSR and sustainability initiatives are not only aligned with our global objectives but are also responsive to local needs and priorities.
Knowledge Sharing and Scalability: HGS fosters an environment of knowledge sharing among our global CSR teams, enabling the replication of successful initiatives across different regions. This cross-pollination of ideas and experiences is crucial for scaling our efforts and maximizing our impact, ensuring that successful programs can be adapted and implemented in new contexts with similar socio-economic challenges.
Through these strategic measures, HGS ensures that our CSR and sustainability initiatives are scalable, replicable, and deeply impactful, tailored to meet the diverse needs of the communities we serve around the world. This approach underscores our commitment to making a positive difference, leveraging our global presence for local good.
Q. In what ways does HGS foster collaboration and knowledge sharing among its employees, clients, and community partners to collectively address pressing social and environmental issues, demonstrating a holistic approach to corporate citizenship?
A. Through the following comprehensive strategies, HGS champions collaboration and knowledge sharing, bringing together diverse stakeholders in a unified mission to tackle social and environmental challenges. Our approach underscores the power of collective action in fostering a responsible and impactful corporate citizenship ethos.
Engaging Employees: Through initiatives like our 'Work to Give' volunteering program, we engage employees in sustainability and CSR activities, encouraging them to share insights and drive change within and beyond the organization. This internal collaboration is complemented by our Pro-Bono volunteering policy, which supports employees in offering their expertise to non-profit organizations, furthering our corporate citizenship commitment.
Collaborating with Clients: HGS collaborates with clients to embed sustainable and socially responsible practices into Partnership. HGS supports its clients’ impact priorities too e.g. through Impact sourcing and sustainability initiatives.
Partnerships with NGOs and Local Communities: Our local CSR teams are instrumental in forging partnerships with NGOs and community organizations, tailoring our efforts to meet local needs effectively. Our collaborations with organizations like Goodera and Give enable us to enhance our impact and extend our reach, ensuring that our initiatives are both insightful and impactful.
Knowledge Sharing Platforms: HGS leverages workshops, seminars, and digital forums to facilitate robust discussions on social and environmental challenges, success stories, and innovative solutions among our employees, clients, and partners. This exchange of knowledge fosters a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
Expanding Global NGO Network: By associating with over 30 global NGOs, we tap into a wealth of knowledge and resources. This network enriches our approach to CSR and sustainability, allowing us to share and adopt best practices widely.
Q. What are HGS's future aspirations and strategic priorities in the realm of CSR and sustainability, and how does the company plan to adapt its initiatives to evolving societal needs and global sustainability trends?
A. HGS looks towards the future, our aspirations and strategic priorities in CSR and sustainability are deeply aligned with the evolving needs of society and global sustainability trends. Central to our vision is the commitment to strengthening our Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices, ensuring that we not only keep pace with but also anticipate and lead in the realm of corporate responsibility.
Strengthening ESG Practices: At the forefront of our strategy is the focus on enhancing our ESG framework. HGS is dedicated to measuring and managing our current state and outcomes more effectively, employing robust metrics and analytics to gauge our impact. This involves a comprehensive review and optimization of our operations and initiatives, ensuring they are sustainable, equitable, and aligned with global best practices.
Community-Centric Impact Opportunities: Recognizing the importance of local relevance in our CSR efforts, HGS is committed to identifying and pursuing impact opportunities that matter most to the communities in which we operate. This means not only continuing our work in areas such as health, education, and skilling but also being responsive to the unique challenges and opportunities presented by each locality. Our aim is to contribute meaningfully to local development while aligning with broader global goals.
Adapting to Evolving Needs: Understanding that societal needs and sustainability trends are ever-changing, HGS plans to remain agile and adaptive in our CSR and sustainability initiatives. We will continue to engage with local communities, NGOs, and thought leaders to stay ahead of emerging trends and needs. This agile approach ensures that our efforts are both relevant and impactful, addressing the most pressing challenges of our times.
Collaborative Efforts for Greater Impact: We believe that collaboration is key to amplifying our impact. HGS will seek to expand our partnerships with organizations like Goodera and Give, leveraging their expertise and networks to enhance the scope and effectiveness of our initiatives. These collaborations will enable us to share knowledge, resources, and best practices, fostering a more integrated approach to CSR and sustainability.
Future-Proofing Through Innovation: Lastly, HGS is set on incorporating innovative solutions and technologies to drive sustainable innovation. By harnessing digital transformation and business process management, we aim to develop scalable and replicable models that not only benefit our operations and clients but also contribute to environmental conservation and social welfare.
