Corporate Responsibility

 Where Does the Company End, and the Person Begin? 

I've had a few thoughts swirling in my brain recently about the corporate world...

"What are the roles of a public, for profit company?" This question was posed in Starbucks' recent global responsibility report, and it is a question I wonder myself. 

We hold companies responsible when we believe they are not acting how we deem responsibly, but as a company, what standard should be used to determine exactly what responsible behavior is? 

What makes up a company's "moral conscious?" Is it those in leadership positions? Like Julius in Remember the Titans said- "Attitude reflects leadership, captain." Or is it the HR department? Or is it every individual involved in the company? And if the company and its conscious is made up of individuals, does a company have rights like an individual? Hobby Lobby thinks it does,which is part of the lawsuit they are currently engaged in. (This is referred to as a company's "personhood.") 

What responsibility does a company have to its community? Most people agree that a company has a responsibility to serve its customers, as well as act in the best interest of shareholders in the case of a public company. But does that responsibility extend to its community? 

And if a company is trying to serve its community, are they serving out of selfish interest in search of positive PR, or because they truly want to make a difference? Or both? Or does their motive really matter? 

So far, in these thoughts, I have landed here: I think companies cannot be separated from the people who run them and work for them, after all, without the people, the company would not exist. So, in the case of Hobby Lobby, I agree that they should retain rights in light of the company's "personhood." 

But I also think that the responsibility for behaving morally and for serving our communities lies with the individual. It's great if a group of individuals within a company want to come together to serve; however, I believe the desire to serve must come from a personal, internal desire to love another sincerely. 

I don't think that desire can be commanded in an employee handbook. (Encouraged perhaps by company policy, though. ConocoPhillips and Phillips 66 greatly encourage community service. In fact, those two companies will match any donation, time or money, employees make to charities or non-profits up to $15,000. I think that's really cool.)

What do you think? What responsibilities do companies have to their communities? What responsibilities to individuals have? Do you think we have any? 

I'm curious to hear your thoughts... Share them in the comment section below!

Much love, 

xo The Attic 

ps. Random fact: I seriously struggle with typing the word "responsibility." I think I spelled it wrong every single time I wrote it in this post. 

pps. The first picture is from my senior year of college spring break when I went to NYC with a group of wonderful friends. It was so fun and made me love the city all over again. The second picture is from Pinterest!