Social Sustainability

Connecting people and places to make the world work better

At ISS, our purpose is to ‘connect people and places to make the world work better’ – a purpose that underscores our commitment to delivering social sustainability. 

Social sustainability, as we define it, refers to the measurable positive impact we generate for our placemakers, our clients, and local communities. This impact is fuelled by our dedication to social equity, achieved through responsible business practices that emphasize respect, inclusivity and opportunities for all. 

As a sustainable workplace provider, we have a collective responsibility to consider how our business activities improve equality, community resilience and well-being for the people and the places where we work, now and in the future. 

350,000+

Placemakers

130+

Languages spoken

67,000+

placemakers or their family members received an ISS recognised qualification

Social Sustainability at ISS

We are a gateway to decent work for people from all economic backgrounds. Our 3 core commitments offer our placemakers and their families further opportunities to improve their social and economic status. 

Living wage

We pledge to work together with policy makers, our clients and suppliers to implement living wages for our placemakers.  

Recognised qualifications

We commit to giving 100,000+ placemakers or their family members an ISS recognised qualification by end 2025.  

Respect and recognition

We partner with all stakeholders to demonstrate the value that all placemakers bring to our workplaces, striving for continued recognition and respect. 

Download our report on Unlocking the S in ESG

This report discusses the increasingly important role social sustainability is having in the workplace. We address how to create more inclusive work environments and how collaboration between companies and service providers means that we can create a better future together.  

Download free report/insights/sustainability/report
2024_Social Impact speakers_Margot
“

Building a culture where everyone is respected and valued puts us on the path to our goal of being the global Company of Belonging, which is why social sustainability is of paramount importance to us. 

Margot Slattery - Global Head of Diversity, Inclusion, Belonging & Social Sustainability, ISS World Services A/S

Social Sustainability Stories

SHINE Hong Kong_Anja
Social Sustainability

Creating an inclusive workplace for youths with special educational needs

Find out how ISS Hong Kong is committed to nurturing the next generation of special needs youths through our SHINE@ISS programme. 

Providing an opportunity to SHINE ISS/insights/cr-stories/providing-an-opportunity-to-shine-iss
OneISS Group of people spelling out word crop
Social Sustainability

Giving our people a second chance on education

The Education for All programme was introduced in ISS India in 2023 as a way of giving our placemakers educational opportunities they previously were unable to reach

Giving our people a second chance on education/insights/cr-stories/giving-our-people-a-second-chance-on-education
2024_Panel Discussion Social Sustainability Event_01
Social Sustainability

Experts share key messages on social sustainability strategy

Building an effective social sustainability strategy is now more important than ever and having measures in place can drive employee motivation and business success. A range of experts shared their views on how companies can develop their strategy.

Experts share key messages over building an effective social sustainability strategy/insights/cr-stories/experts-share-key-messages-over-building-an-effective-social-sustainability-strategy
Indigeco
Social Sustainability

First Nations Australians supported with job opportunities

Local communities provide the foundation of our society and we want to support them as much as possible through regional and local collaborations. One example of this is that ISS Australia has recently worked with Indigeco, an Indigenous recruitment company in Australia.

First Nations Australians supported with jobs/insights/cr-stories/first-nations-australians-supported-with-jobs
AdobeStock_467977083
Social Sustainability

ISS and Tent partnership sees over 1,000 refugees hired

ISS is committed to providing refugees with job opportunities to help them to integrate into their new communities.

ISS and Tent partnership sees over 1,000 refugees hired since 2022/insights/cr-stories/iss-and-tent-partnership-sees-over-1,000-refugees-hired-since-2022
Sampatti Chavan
People

Meet Sampatti Chavan

His connection with the company extends to his wife and his daughter and Sampatti hopes to continue working with us until retiring, saying that the security ISS has provided him has been “valuable”. 

Meet Sampatti Chavan/insights/people-stories/meet-sampatti-chavan
Businesswoman group portrait wearing traditional islamic clothes
Social Sustainability

Enabling Moroccan women to develop thriving businesses

The ISS Una Sonrisa Más Foundation recently entered into a collaborative agreement with the Women for Africa Foundation (FMxA) to promote the creation of dignified employment in Nador Province, Morocco.

Enabling Moroccan women to develop thriving businesses/insights/cr-stories/enabling-moroccan-women-to-develop-thriving-businesses

PEOPLE MAKE PLACES

330,000+ medarbetare    |   30+ länder   |   40,000+ kunder