Exclusive interview with Joaquín Ramirez of Enjoy Conrad Punta del Este

“When you put your money down to continue long-term, it's key to be aware of social issues in this business”

2015-01-06
Reading time 2:47 min
(Uruguay, exclusive Yogonet.com).- Joaquín Ramirez, director of Human Resources at Enjoy Conrad Punta del Este, spoke of the importance of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as a tool to build long-term successful business. Also, he remarked that it is imperative that companies commit with the surrounding world: “It is part of our DNA.”

How did the idea of Corporate Social Responsibility come about at Enjoy Conrad?

When we arrive at a place, we want to be part of it, we want to be in touch with its reality, and see how can we assure that  Enjoy's arrival will be a benefit for all its residents. Every company bets to last over time and, to achieve it, it is essential to generate economic development and make contributions in other fields, too.

 

What is the role of CSR nowadays? Why has it become a key pillar to achieve corporate success?

 It is necessary to promote ethics and transparency in corporate government, with  customers, with providers, with neighbors and with the environment. It is the only way to create sustainability and make sure that the business has a strong leverage effect for development. Enjoy Conrad Punta del Este contributes to the strengthening of the economy and touristic development of Maldonado and the country itself, contributing to improving the city from a social and environmental point of view. Both aspects are key for our business to be sustainable over time.

How does CSR impact employees?

An important part of CSR of Enjoy Conrad is focused on the welfare of our collaborators and their families. Each one is given the chance to grow with the company, offering constant training to be prepared for new challenges. “When you put your money down to continue long-term, it's key to be aware of social issues in this business”

What is Enjoy Conrad commitment when facing CSR tasks?

Enjoy Conrad has made the commitment and has established long-term relationships with the community. An example of this is the daily food service for more than one hundred at-risk children at the Dionisio Diaz Infants Home. The firm also celebrates Christmas with the children living at the Dionisio Diaz and INAU Maldonado Infants Home, with a party including food, toys, shows, entertainment and a present for each child.

The construction of a better quality of life for the community is also undertaken from an educational perspective, with the organization of an annual cycle of talks and free workshops on issues related to health. We need to add activities in support and awareness of teenagers with regard to traffic accidents, with the Road Show performance together with the Alejandra Forlán Foundation.

What's more, we organize activities with local schools with social and environmental goals, and donate equipment, materials and food to a variety of NGOs.

 

With regards to our people, Enjoy Conrad is committed to a strategy of sustainable development targeting investment in its human resources. Our company is the proud owner of the OHSAS 18000 certificate in Management System of Safety and Occupational Health, validated every year an audit by an ISO representative in Uruguay (UNIT). We also offer a healthy lifestyle program that promotes physical exercise for the collaborators and their families, as well as an exercise program at work, designed by a multi-discliplinary team. Ergonomic studies are conducted with recommendations for improvement; a healthy menu is offered to workers and integration activities are conducted at significant dates of the year.

In what way do Corporate Social Responsibility tasks connect Enjoy Conrad with the rest of the chain?

The process is never-ending. Enjoy Conrad is part of a chain that adopts the best practices and projects based on corporate programs and methods. This means respecting the singular aspects of our own culture and the history of this property. In this sense,  the Enjoy Santiago Personnel Department have provided us with their full support. We are also blessed to have at the Punta del Este location a specialist in Change Management, who collaborates with us in this process.

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