Teaching and Learning > DOCUMENTS
CSR Case Study - Cadbury Trebor Bassett
Julie Gallimore
Cadbury Trebor Bassett
Naomi, HR Advisor
Psychology Bsc, University of Warwick
How did you decide that Cadbury Trebor Bassett matched your own personal values?
One of the key factors that I looked into when deciding where to apply for graduate roles was the value set that drove the business. I was looking for a business where I was confident that the employees were treated with respect and dignity, where there is integrity and accountability in decision making and where the business recognises their corporate social responsibility (CSR) to the wider communities and environment.
I was aware of the Cadbury heritage in looking after its people, for example its investment in social housing, and it was this reputation that drove me to further explore opportunities. After research into it on the web, I learned that even today the Cadbury approach to CSR issues is still visibly different from the industry standard, and this was reinforced even more so during the recruitment process. I also felt that all the employees I met during the recruitment process showed strong value sets that illustrated that they liked the business for the same reasons as me.
Were these values assessed or talked about at application and interview stage?
The values were not assessed at any stage of the process, although I believe the way that you make decisions links into value sets so when they were assessing for example the 'judgement competency' then I think values links into it. The concept of Cadbury as an ethical business was one of the most strongly used selling points at the assessment centre.
We were also shown a video called Changing times, constant values which reveals how values have remained at the heart of the business as our brands and products have developed to match the industry and world standards.
Did you explore other career areas/organisations prior to securing this job?
I took a gap year and worked as a youth worker running activities and contributing to an advice centre. At the University of Warwick I was part of their volunteer programme. I think that if students have a set of values it's important to live them and that's what drew me to volunteer work
What kind of values are important to you and how do you feel you developed this set of values?
The core of my values is that every person is treated fairly and justly, that we take responsibility for the impact of our actions on the world around us. I believe that every individual should be given the opportunity to fulfil their potential.
How have your values come into play on a day to day basis?
My current role is as an HR advisor in a manufacturing environment. Within this role I have been business partnering a couple of teams, managing the sickness absence procedure, managing the external recruitment and dealing with any other ad-hoc issues that come up across the factory for example, grievances or investigations. I am also undertaking the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management qualification.
My values are constantly coming into play in the way that I deal with these areas on an every day basis, and sometimes it can be challenging to make certain business based decisions because of my value set. Generally, I can justify the majority of the decisions I make based on the concept of 'fairness' - for example, if someone's conduct needs managing, but this action had a negative impact on their life, it would still be unfair on the business and their team not to manage this.
Do you think there is a particular skill set that goes with applying values in the workplace?
Yes definitely. I think that if you want to apply your values in the workplace, you need to have very strong judgement and influence. Judgement - it is essential to be able to make balanced decisions and 'step back 'from your values sometimes, in order to see the greater good. This is crucial so that you pick the 'right' battles to fight, so that when there is an issue that you believe is really important then you can stand your corner. Influence - to have the environmental radar to know when to be vocal with your values and when not to be. - this is something I'm still learning.
Do you have ideas about how your career might develop in the future?
I would like to go into training and development once I have had some core HR experience.
How do you think your job choice/application of values to the workplace is different from the career choices of your peers?
I applied for fewer roles than others, and I turned some assessment centre offers down before my Cadbury assessment centre because I felt that these businesses did not fit my value set. I am more flexible now about my career and my values will continue to inform my choices.
What advice would you offer to prospective students hoping to go into work that in some way matched their values?
It's important to make sure you are in an organisation that is aligned to your values. You spend most of your life at work, so you should choose where you are and what you do very wisely. It is important to feel motivated towards what you are doing, and for many people, their underlying values will generate this.
When I was working in Graduate Recruitment I was surprised by the number of students interviewed who hadn't thought through their life experience in order to illustrate skills and values. It's a good idea to build examples of your values in action like I did through my volunteer work.
This page was originally on the website of The Subject Centre for Philosophical and Religious Studies. It was transfered here following the closure of the Subject Centre at the end of 2011.
