The Power of Purpose: Why Hiring Refugees Is Good for Business

In this onerous business competition, more and more, the companies are asking what they could more do not only satisfy the latter kind of competitiveness, but also contribute to society and humankind. One of the most powerful of them is employing refugees. Not only do they bring invaluable skills and perspectives into the workplace, they are also remarkable for their substantial motivation and determination: refugees work hard when they work. Employing refugees thus serves as a sense-generative decision that engages and advances an evolving CSR agenda, and signals powerfully to the outside world that the company is standing for the values of universality and social justice.

Why Purpose Matters in Business

Today’s business ecosystem rewards purpose‑driven firms. From savvy shoppers to socially minded investors to socially conscious employees, more than ever they want businesses that pursue profit with principles. Hiring refugees is one way your company could show such investigators (and other stakeholders) that your business truly is digging deep into society to make a difference.

Of course, working for a purposeful company can also increase workers’ happiness and loyalty on the job. Today’s workforce – especially younger, progressive workers – bristle at any notion of labouring on behalf of a company that generates profits for no other reason other than profit itself (and they would likely disapprove of companies that aim for a solely ethical or ‘socially responsible’ raison d’être or business model). These workers want to work for companies that give them a sense of purpose – of being connected to something larger than themselves. In hiring refugees, then, companies are sending a communicative signal to employees: we are a company that tries to make a difference in the world. Greater purpose at work raises morale, engagement and retention, making a company a nicer place to work.

The Business Case for Hiring Refugees

Not only does this make good sense in the context of CSR and purpose-led agendas, but it is also a shrewd business decision. The overwhelming majority of refugees have work experience, relevant skills and qualifications that are in short supply in sectors entrenched in labour shortages. Many refugees happen to be doctors, engineers, teachers and IT professionals. Allowing refugees to find work means that short term labour demands are met while companies also gain access to work-ready populations that come with an innate drive and grit.

Another culture is born of a disaster-ridden past The refugee has probably endured unimaginable trauma and struggle to get there, and a culture of desert living, of day-to-day striving for existence, stimulates a high quotient of hard work, purposeful productivity and innovation. Businesses that dare to hire refugees welcome workers who are hungry for their jobs and move quickly to make themselves useful and invaluable.

Shops, offices, restaurants and clients are ready to give their feet and dollars to enterprises that look good, ‘social’ and ethically convinced. Hiring refugees can help companies to be distinguishable from their competitors, and increase loyalty to their brand.

Diversity and Innovation in the Workplace

When employers hire refugees, they bring invaluable perspectives , experiences , and opinions – which matters for innovation. Diverse teams and groups have unique and different perspectives , ways of problem solving , and experiences , leading to more creative and better solutions to specific problems. Research suggests that innovative and successful companies have more diverse workforces than less successful firms.

And refugees offer new ways of doing things, fresh perspectives on the job at hand The case for more far-reaching economic benefits is also compelling: US employers hire 16 workers for each refugee they employ; leverage refugee networks, and you gain access to disseminating your message within their communities; or provide refugees with employment, and you gain access to an expanded pool of supplies and networks. This type of pluralism can forge a more creative and productive working life – and a workforce that is agile, adaptive and entrepreneurial, well-equipped to participate in a global economy. Beyond such near-term economic dividends, refugees offer new ways of doing things, fresh perspectives on the job at hand. This diversity of approaches – an expansion of an organisation’s way of thinking – can draw out multiple pathways to success, and create more dynamic and creative teams. By providing refugee employment and leveraging diversity, companies can make their workforce more competitive and foresighted.

How Businesses Can Get Involved

And in addition to doing business owners a favour, employing refugees could be one way to make a longterm difference to the lives of some of the most vulnerable people. Businesses can help by linking up with charities that can help to find refugees good jobs – these charities can vet the refugees’ skills for you, provide language and mentorship programmes, and ongoing support to refugees and employers.

In addition, private sector companies can design recruitment policies that facilitate refugees to find employment by providing part-time work, cultural onboarding and language training and consider diversity and inclusion policies beyond the realm of recruitment.

Conclusion

Engaging refugees in employment is an ideal path for business to embed purpose in their organisations, enrich their workforce, and make valuable social impact. Like the broader labour force, refugees arrive to enterprises with a range of talent, drive and thrival, which can shine in any place of work. When refugees are provided the opportunity to become talented contributors, business can enhance its public image, strengthen employee engagement, and boost innovation.

Yet, as employers increasingly understand all the benefits to working with a refugee, they too will become architects of a more connected, welcoming world. It’s a win-win-win. And people everywhere benefit. Hiring refugees. It’s good for business. It’s good for the world.