What is EcoVadis and what is the EcoVadis Committed award for?

EcoVadis is a global platform that evaluates companies in terms of their ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) practices.

The evaluation system covers four key areas:

1. Environment – managing the company’s impact on the climate and natural resources.

2. Human and employee rights – compliance with ethical and social standards.

3. Ethics – acting in accordance with the principles of honesty in business.

4. Sustainable purchasing – choosing suppliers who act responsibly.

The ratings awarded by EcoVadis are recognized worldwide as a reliable indicator of companies’ commitment to sustainable development. The EcoVadis Committed award confirms that the organization not only meets ESG standards, but also continuously improves its operations, setting ambitious goals for the future.

Why is the EcoVadis Committed award important?

Obtaining the EcoVadis Committed award is the result of the commitment of the entire LeasingTeam Group. Our sustainability strategy is based on several pillars:

The EcoVadis Committed award is of great importance to us, as it strengthens the trust of our customers, partners and job candidates, confirming that we care about responsible actions, in accordance with the highest standards. This form of recognition also motivates us to continue to grow, continue our strategy and set new, ambitious goals in the area of ESG, proving to us that we are going in the right direction.

For our customers and business partners, the EcoVadis Committed award is a guarantee that they are working with an organization that is responsible and aware of its role in building a better future. Allows:

Sustainable development as the foundation of LeasingTeam Group’s operations

At LeasingTeam Group, we believe that sustainable development is not just a trend, but a necessity to build a future that is responsible for people and the planet. The EcoVadis Committed award is not only a source of pride for us, but also a commitment to do even better. We are proud of this achievement and treat it as a motivation for further action. We thank our employees, customers and partners who contribute to our mission every day.

If you want to learn more about sustainability efforts, download our free report on the study of ESG practices and priorities in organizations in Poland: 2024 REPORT: Do companies in Poland care about sustainable development?

On the one hand, the climate crisis, greater environmental awareness and the growing importance of an ethical organizational culture. On the other hand, the development of sustainable finance and the dynamically changing regulatory environment, with the CSRD directive and sustainability reporting standards (ESRS) at the forefront. There is no doubt that the social and political pressure is enormous, and the world today expects a radical transformation from business. It seems that sustainable development should be one of the top priorities of every company. However, only 28% of organizations surveyed by ARC Rynek i Opinia on behalf of LeasingTeam Group, which decided to take a look at the landscape of ESG activities carried out by companies with more than 50 employees in Poland, agree with this thesis.

– More and more companies are recognising that ESG activities are no longer just an add-on, but an integral part of their business strategy. It is no different at LeasingTeam Group, which is why, observing changes in this area, together with one of our TalentPoint brands, we have initiated a study to understand how companies in Poland approach the implementation of sustainable development activities. The survey was addressed to a kind of motherland of change in organizations, i.e. HR departments, business owners and people directly responsible for ESG and CSR – says Iga Pazio, Marketing & PR Director LeasingTeam Group.

A lot depends on the size of the company and the scale of operations

The report shows that although nearly half of companies (49%) admit that sustainable development is important to them, they do not consider it a priority area, and one in five treats environmental and social issues completely incidentally. Interestingly, there is a clear relationship between the size of a company and the level of commitment to ESG. The highest conviction about the need to prioritize these issues is in companies with more than 500 employees (37%), and the lowest in organizations with 51 to 100 employees (23%).

” LeasingTeam Group is one of those companies where we believe that achieving business goals can be effectively and successfully combined with care for people and the environment, and that ethical organizational culture and promotion of the right attitudes should be the foundation for running any business. says Andżelika Majewska, Vice President of LeasingTeam Group. – This also applies to the services and solutions that we bring to market. ESG is one of the key strategic directions for all our companies, and we want to support our clients in these activities as well. We are convinced that companies that join the green transformation process early enough will have a great opportunity to build a competitive advantage in relations with customers and investors – adds Andżelika Majewska.

Fortunately, the fact that ESG is not at the top of the list of priorities in most companies does not mean that no action is being taken in this area. To a greater or lesser extent, they are carried out by every second surveyed company, and in every fourth they are included in a separate strategy. Not surprisingly, such a document is mainly held by international companies. However, it may be surprising that as many as 19% of entrepreneurs declare directly that they do not plan to start such activities because they do not feel the need to do so.

The budget is a barrier, but we can see a paradigm shift in thinking about business

The biggest challenge for companies entering the path of sustainable development are budget constraints, which were indicated by as many as 58% of respondents. Not much less, 53%, pointed out the low involvement of employees, and every second company admits that it does not have the awareness and adequate knowledge to implement ESG principles. Other obstacles are the lack of time (48% of responses) and a clear policy or action plan (45%). The respondents blame the management staff for this state of affairs, which are not sufficiently involved in activities related to sustainable development in their companies (40% of responses).

“It is clear that there are no written strategies and indicators yet, that this is the initial period of expanding the spectrum of business. For years – and in Poland for much longer than in other European countries – it has been emphasized that business should focus only on maximizing profit, and all these “CSRs” are only unnecessary costs. When CSR finally turned into ESG, it turned out that business is people, that it is natural to maximize the positive impact and reduce the negative one in all areas important from the point of view of the quality of our lives. Only 1% of respondents believe that the activities carried out by companies supporting the idea of sustainable development do not have a noticeable impact on the company and employees. This is clear evidence of the paradigm shift in business happening here and now. comments Bolesław Rok, professor of management at Kozminski University.

It is encouraging that 87% of survey participants are aware that sustainability activities reduce the harmful impact of business on the environment. On average, three out of four companies also believe that ESG improves relationships with customers, suppliers and partners (77%), increases employee engagement and efficiency (76%) and attracts talent better suited to the organizational culture (73%).

The survey was conducted using the CATI and CAWI methods on a representative group of 515 companies with at least 50 employees. It was carried out between 24 June and 19 July 2024 by the ARC Rynek i Opinia research agency on behalf of LeasingTeam Group. The full text of the report “Do companies in Poland care about sustainable development?” was published on September 23, 2024 here. The substantive partner of the report is Great Digital, and the institutional patron is the Responsible Business Forum.

6 July 2024 is the deadline for the implementation of the EU CSRD Directive into the Polish legal system. It imposes an obligation on the largest entrepreneurs to submit ESG reports. Ultimately, however, it is to cover all companies, which is why some of them have already started the transformation process. HR departments and management play a key role in shaping the CSR strategy and building an ethical culture of the organization. What is the level of business involvement in sustainable development activities from their perspective? LeasingTeam Group and TalentPoint in cooperation with Great Digital and ARC Rynek i Opinia invite you to take part in a survey that will result in a report made available free of charge to the entire business community.

The CSRD obliges entrepreneurs to report on activities in the field of environmental protection, social responsibility and compliance with employee rights and corporate governance. Already in 2025, non-financial statements for the previous year in accordance with the new standards will be submitted by companies and capital groups with more than 500 employees, whose annual revenues exceed EUR 40 million or whose balance sheet total exceeds EUR 20 million. However, the obligation to submit ESG reports will be extended to other groups of companies from year to year. It is estimated that from 2026 it will cover over 3,000 Polish enterprises. The pace of transformation imposed by the European legislator is extremely fast and Polish entrepreneurs, sooner or later, will have to unify their reporting policy and adapt it to the EU standards introduced by the CSRD Directive.

– Entrepreneurs who start the transformation process early enough have a chance to build a competitive advantage in relations with customers and investors. We should remember that companies that have already been covered by the new regulations will require their suppliers and contractors to comply with ESG standards, even if the EU regulations do not yet directly affect them. The implementation of sustainable practices and the use of modern tools supporting work management will certainly improve the operational efficiency of the business and will have a huge impact on the candidate and employee experience. Employees are paying increasing importance to the company’s values and its green efforts, and an active and fair work environment is crucial for talent retention. says Iga Pazio, Marketing Manager of the LeasingTeam Group employment agency.

ESG regulations will significantly affect entrepreneurs’ business plans, especially since this area is to become an integral part of the organization’s business model, and not be treated only as a non-financial factor. Therefore, the work of the so-called green collars, i.e. people with competence in interpreting new regulations and implementing environmentally friendly solutions, is becoming increasingly important. However, ESG is not only Environmental, but also Social and Governance, and some of the key reporting indicators are: the method of human resources management, occupational health and safety, human capital development, access to benefits and healthcare, or diversity in the composition of the management board and transparency of executive remuneration. The new regulations therefore affect HR areas to a much greater extent than it might seem at first glance.

– The foundation for the implementation of ESG assumptions is the company’s organizational culture, resulting from effective communication conducted by HR leaders. Therefore, together with TalentPoint, we want to take a close look at the landscape of Polish companies’ activities in this area. The survey aims to identify the best practices and challenges that entrepreneurs encounter on the way to sustainable development. We encourage the entire business community to share their perspective and co-create a report that will shed light on how Polish companies are coping with the green transformation and inevitable changes in management, help them better understand ESG assumptions and implement effective actions for sustainable development,” says Iga Pazio, Marketing Manager of the LeasingTeam Group employment agency and the originator of the study.

The study “Do companies in Poland care about sustainable development?” commissioned by LeasingTeam Group and TalentPoint is conducted by the independent research institute ARC Rynek i Opinia and the Great Digital agency. It is carried out using the quantitative CATI method, supported by CAWI in the form of a publicly available survey. The results of the survey in the form of a comprehensive industry report will be made available free of charge in September this year.

Sustainable developmentIt has long ceased to be just a trend, but has become an important and integral part of business activity. In the face of climate change, but also due to EU regulations, which impose on more and more companies the obligation to report non-financially, entrepreneurs have taken on the burden of responsibility for society and the environment. However, this would not be possible without the use of new technologies, allowing for more efficient data processing or moving away from high-emission data centers. Digital transformation and digitization of processes have also revolutionized the way people manage human resources.

On December 16, 2022, the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive was published. Its assumptions are primarily intended to oblige companies to reduce the negative impact of their operations on the environment, respect human rights and the principles of social responsibility and corporate governance. In practice, the idea is that all ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) activities should not be just declarations, but should be supported by data. The ESG reporting requirement will first (for 2024) apply to public interest entities that have so far had a non-financial reporting obligation under the NFRD. However, in the coming years, it will apply not only to large companies or capital groups, but also to small and medium-sized enterprises. It is therefore not surprising that the business community is already reviewing its sustainability strategies and implementing solutions that allow for more effective operations. The HR industry is an extremely important part of this pro-environmental puzzle. At LeasingTeam Group, we use the latest technologies and digitize human resources management processes to support companies even more effectively in fulfilling their social obligations.

– Our customers, just like us, know that all paths of development lead towards technology. Human labor is not only becoming increasingly costly, but also scarce, so companies today must reinvent HR through data, artificial intelligence, and new ways of working to build strength and find paths to new opportunities – says Andżelika Majewska, Vice President of LeasingTeam Group.

Welcome to the digital world of HR

HRM systems have been improving communication between HR and employees for many years. The basis of this type of software is a central database, which provides the company with a comprehensive insight into the personnel situation. It is used by both medium-sized enterprises and international corporations. Most HRMS offers modules that allow you to manage working time, salaries or feedback. At LeasingTeam, we have gone a step further and created an innovative platform that not only facilitates the work of HR departments, but also significantly streamlines formalities on the part of employees and brings measurable environmental benefits. TalentPoint is our proprietary system for handling and automating HR processes. At TalentPoint, the employee fills in the personal questionnaire and all statements online in less than 10 minutes, and the contract is generated automatically based on the data entered and signed electronically. Our software allows you to shorten the hiring process by as much as 75%. In addition, thanks to API integration with the company’s HR and ERP systems, onboarding and HR and payroll processes can be optimized, significantly improving operational efficiency. The platform enables m.in quick process of acceptance and settlement of working time, management of holidays and absences or business trips. The ability to complete all formalities without leaving home translates into reduced commuting and thus reduced greenhouse gas emissions. On the other hand, the implementation of electronic document workflow and electronic signatures allows you to reduce the consumption of paper used for printing, not to mention electricity or toners, by as much as 80%.

– Modern technologies are revolutionizing our workplace. On the one hand, digitization and artificial intelligence are already appearing in many HR-related processes, and on the other hand, HR departments still work with paper documents, scans and Excels. I am convinced that it is time for all of us to have access to tools that will make our daily work easier, simplify processes and allow us to focus on the most important tasks – says Marek Deręgowski, Managing Director at TalentPoint.

Recruitment and remote work

Remote work is most often discussed in the context of convenience for employees and the savings it gives to entrepreneurs. However, the very implementation of technologies that enable working from home brings measurable benefits for the environment, for example by reducing commuting. In addition, smart working promotes work-life balance. Online recruitment, on the other hand, is a great opportunity for HR departments and employment agencies to attract talents from all over the world. New technologies not only facilitate recruitment processes, but also promote diversity and inclusion. This allows HR to actively and effectively work to eliminate potential barriers in the workplace, which is a key element of the ESG strategy. New technologies enable an objective assessment of candidates’ qualifications and competences, and algorithms that analyze data support recruiters in selecting employees based on their skills and experience, leveling the playing field on the labor market.

AI-powered HR processes

Another important step towards achieving sustainability goals may be the introduction of artificial intelligence into recruitment processes. AI algorithms can analyze vast amounts of data to identify candidates who not only have the right qualifications, but also fit the company’s organizational culture. However, AI can also strengthen the competences of HR employees. As part of the TalentPoint platform, we offer an innovative service of a virtual HR assistant. Talentina uses advanced AI algorithms to support specialists in their daily work. The beta version has access to knowledge and current regulations, which allows it to efficiently answer questions in the field of HR and payroll.

Technology for a sustainable future

We have reached a key moment when technology has become the main ally of business in the implementation of the sustainable development strategy and an integral part of the work of the HR industry. New technologies and the digitization of HR processes allow you to effectively combine business goals with care for the planet, thus creating a harmonious and sustainable future.

– Through our actions and investments in new technologies, we not only help customers meet their environmental, social and governance goals, but we also want them to feel that our sustainability is part of their change. LeasingTeam has always been very strongly committed to ethics and employee rights, cultivating the highest values – sums up Andżelika Majewska, Vice President of LeasingTeam Group.

Christmas is a time when it is worth slowing down a bit and taking care of those who need support. On December 10, the Children’s Joy Foundation organizes Christmas Eve for the sixth time for the charges of M-GOPS Piaseczno and local orphanages. During the event, the youngest will have the opportunity to meet Santa Claus, take advantage of numerous attractions, but above all, feel the real magic of Christmas. Thanks to the commitment of donors, children will also receive packages full of sweets, toys and school supplies. The organizers encourage residents and local companies to join the campaign.

The initiator and organizer of the first Joyful Christmas Eve, which took place in 2004, was the local community of the Piaseczno commune, which wanted to support children from the poorest families. For six years, the event has been organized by the Children’s Joy Foundation, created by LeasingTeam Group – a long-time sponsor of the campaign. Thanks to the commitment of partners, sponsors and private donors, last year Santa Claus gave gifts to a record number of 270 children. This year, another record may be set, which is why the organizers encourage everyone willing to join the campaign. This can be done by donating gifts to Christmas packages such as toys, school supplies, cosmetics, balls, etc. or by making a donation to the account of the Children’s Joy Foundation.

– The organization of a Joyful Christmas Eve is not only an opportunity for us to celebrate, but also a chance to bring help to those who need it most. Together, as a community, we will once again make this Christmas magical for the charges of M-GOPS and Children’s Homes. It is during this period that the bond and closeness with another person is extremely important, especially for the youngest. We also strongly encourage everyone willing to fund gifts for children. Anyone can join the campaign, both private donors and companies – emphasizes Weronika Jarosz, Member of the Management Board of the Children’s Joy Foundation.

The Children’s Joy Foundation has prepared unusual attractions for children, thanks to which the next Christmas Eve will be unforgettable. The youngest, in addition to the long-awaited meeting with Santa Claus, will be able to admire martial arts shows and dance performances. There will also be inflatables, face painting and refreshments waiting for the participants.

Every year, the Happy Christmas Eve is supported by the city authorities, the Municipal Social Welfare Centre, local entrepreneurs and numerous sponsors. This year’s Christmas Eve will take place on December 10 at the Krzysztof Kamil Baczyński Primary School No. 5 at 14 Szkolna Street in Piaseczno. Traditionally, it will be attended by the charges of M-GOPS in Piaseczno and Children’s Homes in Pęchery, Czernice Borowe and Szczutów.

Contact to the organizers of the Happy Christmas Eve: +48 733 607 190 or by e-mail: m.burak@leasing.jellydev2.pl.

The joyful Christmas Eve was again a success. Thanks to this year’s edition of this noble campaign, as many as 270 children received bags filled to the brim with Christmas gifts!

After a two-year break caused by the coronavirus pandemic, young charges of the Municipal Social Welfare Center in Piaseczno and children and young people from orphanages in Czernice Borowe, Pęchery and Szczutów could meet Santa Claus again and have fun together for a few hours. In Primary School No. 5 in Piaseczno, quite a lot of attractions awaited the guests: a park of inflatables, games with Futrzas from the Warsaw Furries community, tasty refreshments, face painting, decorating gingerbread cookies and artistic performances. The traditional Lion Dance and a Chinese martial arts show were performed by coaches from the Golden Lion school, a short kickboxing lesson was conducted by Kobra Fight Team fighters, hot salsa was danced by Kamila Zimnowodzka and Tomasz Starzyk, and the young audience was amused to tears by the circus performer Maciej Borza. Slightly older guests were taken care of by the WEBskie Babki Foundation, which conducted workshops on face care.

This year’s Joyful Christmas Eve was record-breaking. Thanks to the support of partners, sponsors and private donors, Santa Claus was able to give gifts to as many as 270 children, and bags full of toys, books, clothes and sweets weighed a total of over a ton. “We are very happy to meet again. In the previous two years, our campaign had a slightly different form, but now we can return to the proven formula that allows us to spend this special day together – said Weronika Jarosz, member of the board of the Children’s Joy Foundation, responsible for the organization of the event.

The joyful Christmas Eve took place for the fourteenth time. Eighteen years ago, the initiative was initiated by the community of the Piaseczno Commune, and then – after a five-year break – it was revived by the previous sponsor – LeasingTeam Group, which established the Children’s Joy Foundation dedicated to this important campaign. In 2018, during the first edition organized by the Foundation, Santa Claus gave gifts to 106 children. Now, despite the unfavorable economic situation in the world, this number has increased to 270.

The partner of the Joyful Christmas Eve 2022 was the Self-Government of the Mazowieckie Voivodeship. The initiative was supported by: the manufacturer and importer of licensed children’s clothing E plus M, the Keller Foundation, Silekol, Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN, Husqvarna, Glov, the packaging wholesaler Ema-Pol, Jurajska, the Grela confectionery from Lublin, Pizza Hut Piaseczno Karuzela and anonymous donors. Thanks are also due to ML Studio and the APS Multiprint printing house, as well as the Primary School in Nowa Iwiczna, which organized a collection of toys, books and sweets.

Joyful Christmas Eve is an annual charitable local initiative, which was initiated eighteen years ago by the community of the Piaseczno Commune. For the most needy children, an unforgettable event was organized with Santa Claus and creative gifts, unique attractions and games, as well as tasty treats. From the very beginning, Joyful Christmas Eve has been supported by LeasingTeam Group – first as a sponsor, and now as the founder and founder of the Children’s Joy Foundation, which organizes the event.

For the first time, the Joyful Christmas Eve took place in Piaseczno in 2004. It was organized by private individuals together with volunteers and sponsors in the form of local shops, companies and institutions. Every year, the number of not only benefactors of the event, but also the charges increased – during the ninth edition, 220 children radiated with smiles and joy. It was the last edition before the five-year break, after which the Joyful Christmas Eve was revived by the previous sponsor of the event, the LeasingTeam Group, which established the Children’s Joy Foundation dedicated to this important social initiative.

There have already been 4 editions of the Happy Christmas Eve organized by the Foundation, including two in the pandemic years 2020 and 2021. “We started to revive the joyful Christmas Eve together with the Municipal Social Welfare Center in Piaseczno. In 2018, we organized a celebration for 106 charges of the center. The following year, they were joined by the residents of the Children’s Home in Pęchery and the group of little admirers of Santa Claus grew to 211 people. Paradoxically, during the pandemic period, Santa Claus reached a record number of children with gifts – 260, including residents of children’s homes in Czernice Borowe and Szczutów. We already have confirmation that this year at least the same number of children will participate in the event” – says Weronika Jarosz, Member of the Board of the Children’s Joy Foundation.

This year’s Joyful Christmas Eve will take place On December 11 at Primary School No. 5, 14 Szkolna Street in Piaseczno . As in the previous edition, it will be attended by the charges of M-GOPS Piaseczno and Children’s Homes in Pęchery, Czernice Borowe and Szczutów. “These are children in every age group – from infants to teenagers. Among them are children of refugees from Ukraine living in Piaseczno and the surrounding area and under the care of the Municipal Social Welfare Centre” – adds Weronika Jarosz.

Every year, the Joyful Christmas Eve takes place with the participation of sponsors who support it through:

Become Santa Claus and give a Happy Christmas Eve to children in need, children from orphanages and refugee children from Ukraine.

Contact to the organizers:

+48 733 607 190 or by e-mail: m.burak@leasing.jellydev2.pl

On 16 April 2020, the premiere of the 18th edition of the report “Responsible Business in Poland 2019. Good Practices”, which included the Joyful Christmas Eve organized by us!

The annual charity initiative, which we have had the honour to prepare since 2018 as part of the Children’s Joy Foundation established by LeasingTeam, aims to organize fun with numerous attractions and handing out Christmas packages to children in need from the Piaseczno commune. Every year, many companies, institutions and volunteers join the campaign, helping this unforgettable event, thus supporting the local community and contributing to bringing joy to children from orphanages and charges of M-GOPS in Piaseczno.

The report published by the Responsible Business Forum is available for download here.

The report “Responsible Business in Poland. Good Practices” is the largest review of responsible business and sustainable development in Poland for a given year. The publication provides knowledge on how CSR is developing. It shows the diversity of practices and activities, as well as the number of companies engaging and communicating their initiatives (after the announcement of the Responsible Business Forum)tags.

We are happy to be among socially responsible companies – join us!

After this year’s assessment by the EcoVadis rating agency, LeasingTeam maintained the silver CSR certificate, while improving its score by 2 points, from 54 to 56. The result obtained by LeasingTeam is equal to or higher than the result of 79% of other companies surveyed by EcoVadis in the area of recruitment / temporary employment. In other words, the company was among the top 21% of companies rated by Eco Vadis.

The EcoVadis Silver certificate held by LeasingTeam Group is a testimony that the company acts in relation to its business partners, employees/associates and the natural environment in a conscious and responsible manner, guided by CSR standards. The framework of action defined by the organization has a real reflection in the daily functioning of the company.

– The CSR policy of LeasingTeam Group covers all 7 areas according to the ISO 26000 standard. We are convinced that only transparent and responsible management of the company in the organizational and employee areas, as well as in the social and environmental areas, will bring success to the organization, both in relations with business, employees and the local community. Year by year, we implement new CSR initiatives, thanks to which we are becoming a more and more socially responsible company. In 2019, on the one hand, we made extensive investments in the IT infrastructure, thanks to which, m.in other things, we significantly reduced electricity consumption, and on the other hand, we doubled the number of charges in the Joyful Christmas Eve campaign dedicated to the Piaseczno community. In 2020, we are planning further activities – said Agnieszka Haponik, Marketing Director at LeasingTeam Group.

The activities and practices carried out by suppliers in the field of corporate social responsibility are evaluated by the EcoVadis agency in terms of sustainability and performance, on a scale from 0 to 100 points, within 21 criteria, in 4 areas: natural environment, social activities, ethics, supply chain. The methodology used is based on international corporate social responsibility standards, including the Global Reporting initiative, the UN Global Compact and the ISO 26000 standard.

The main benefits of implementing the EcoVadis standard are:

Learn more about CSR and our Happy Christmas Eve campaign.

We invite you to cooperation. Contact us.