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CSR 2016 – Boskalis
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Practical tools
Muller: “At Boskalis we already have many social impact initiatives, but these tend to
be at project level. Now we are working on a coordinated, company-wide approach.
The program was initiated by a steering committee, which started by mapping the
existing situation. Phase one involves establishing the ‘as is’ situation and determining
which current and forthcoming projects require special attention. We are covering the
entire spectrum, i.e. all projects around the world. Following on from this we are
working on formulating and defining the details of the ‘to be’ policy, partly based on
best practices. We are doing so by creating awareness and developing training
programs, so that this topic becomes a fixed element for colleagues on projects. We
focus on employees who are involved in tender processes and execution, but also for
example on finance and treasury colleagues. Social impact issues differ from project
to project and there are no ‘one size fits all’ solutions. In each situation employees
need to think about their role and the responsibility they want and are able to take at
both project and corporate level. The program is a structured way of offering practical
tools to enhance knowledge and awareness in this area. Our ultimate goal is that our
colleagues come to view this topic as a natural part of their work.”
Enthusiastic reception
Muller: “It is great to see how positive and enthusiastic the response of our colleagues
to the program is; it is clearly meeting a need. Obviously a lot was already being
done in this area on various projects, but it is a topic that people at Boskalis feel
strongly about and want to take further. What the colleagues mainly want to know is
how they can operate within which frameworks and limitations and these are the
frameworks we are now developing.”
Berdowski: “A program such as this is strongly consistent with the Boskalis tradition, in
which we are used to showing respect towards other cultures. Many of our colleagues
are curious about local traditions and are open to them – otherwise they probably
wouldn’t be working here. This program will help us to operate more effectively at
a local level and create the value that the client and the community require of us.”
NINA safety training to local people
on a project in Java, Indonesia.