Corporate Social Responsibility
At Robert Bird Group, our mission is to champion social outreach, generosity ethical conduct, sustainability, and social responsibility. We aim to empower our employees to engage and participate in events that cultivate and provide social value in the work we do and the communities we work in. By doing so, we hope to align and contribute towards attaining the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Key Focus Areas:
Education & STEM Promotion
Facilitating work experience opportunities for students and school children to inspire interest in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). Conducting outreach events and programs by visiting organisations and schools to promote STEM education and empowering employees to serve as tutors for disadvantaged young people, providing mentorship and guidance.
Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, & Belonging (EDIB) Initiatives
Facilitate funding towards relevant charities associated with EDIB events throughout the year and provide support and resources to EDIB initiatives within and outside Robert Bird Group.
Employee Charity Involvement
Encourage and support employees participating in charity events. Each year, Robert Bird Group and our sister company SMEC fund charities nominated by Robert Bird Group and SMEC Australia’s employees through the joint Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) CSR Committee. These charities provide education and community support for marginalised or disadvantaged youth. Over the years, the ANZ CSR Committee supported the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, Deadly Science, Engineering Aid Australia, the Cathy Freeman Foundation, and Hope2Day – Project Recycle.
In the UK, we have supported charities such as The Stanhope Foundation, The Hestia Appeal, Construction Youth Trust, Cancer Research UK, Action Tutoring and Dementia UK.
Community Engagement & Local Partnerships
Collaborate with local businesses, schools, and non-profits to foster and contribute to the communities local to our office and our projects. Support and participate in community events, projects, and initiatives that align with our values and organise food bank donation drives for those in need, addressing food insecurity in our communities.
Sustainability & Environmental Stewardship
Strive to minimise our environmental footprint through sustainable practices and engagement with our communities and address the social part of Sustainability in projects.
Employee Wellbeing
Promote a safe, understanding, and supportive work environment and community while facilitating funding towards relevant charities associated with health and wellbeing events throughout the year.
Disaster Relief Support
Provide support for staff members to engage in disaster relief efforts, offering assistance and resources when required.
Inclusive Procurement & Community
In addition to corporate social responsibility, our procurement practices provide an exciting opportunity for growth with our equity, diversity, inclusion, and CSR focus.
We recognise through inclusive or social procurement we can create social benefit and value beyond the value of the goods and services we procure. Inclusive procurement has the potential to positively add to our local communities. It includes creating employment opportunities, enhancing social inclusion, providing vulnerable groups with the opportunity to participate in the community and economy, increasing supplier diversity, and engaging and educating our team members.
Our Procurement Policy ensures fairness, ethical conduct, and accountability with suppliers, setting minimum standards based on recognised national and international practices. We prioritise ethical business practices, respect for workers and local communities, and minimising our environmental impact. Through our equity, diversity, and inclusion strategy, we strive to achieve social procurement objectives, including supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, disabled or disadvantaged community members, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and promoting gender parity.