Corporate Responsibility
Sage is committed to acting as a responsible corporate citizen. We take a pragmatic approach to CR which enables us to focus our commitment on areas that are the most relevant to Sage, our people and where we believe we can make a difference.
We aim to measure our progress and whilst any standards established by local legislation will apply as a minimum, we intend to achieve best practice in the local context of every country in which we operate and to share this across the Group for continuous improvement. Our approach also builds in flexibility for our businesses to enable them to focus on the areas of strategic importance to them locally.
This is the basis for a new policy which we have embedded throughout the business during FY08. The policy has four areas of focus.
People
Each operating company can select an area on which to focus based on what is most meaningful to them and their people. Targets for improvement are set locally and approved at Group level. Examples of focus areas this year include talent development, improving diversity and employee engagement.
Environment
We have introduced carbon emissions reporting and waste measurement across our businesses in all our major locations. This year is about establishing the processes necessary to collect the data for our main office locations so we can get a picture of the emissions our operations generate.
Industry
Our goal is to enhance our position as a business that supports SMEs, encouraging industry, commerce and entrepreneurship at all levels. Operating companies can take a proactive stance and develop their approach according to what is relevant in their local markets and supports the Sage brand.
Community
Our people have a long history of actively supporting a wide range of charities and community organisations that are most meaningful to them. Activities like fundraising, sponsorship and volunteering are very common in Sage office around the globe and are entirely locally led.