Selecting a Socially Responsible Workforce Managed Service Program Provider

Frequently when responding to requests for proposals (RFP) for nextSource’s managed service program offerings, we encounter questions about “sustainability”. Typically, sustainability questions address the traditional notion of environmental issues/impacts, which are somewhat irrelevant when the offering is a service like managed services programs for sourcing human capital. However, there is a discussion to be had about the sustainability of labor MSP sourcing practices; one that involves examination of the “social conscience” of an organization and the extent to which a service provider delivers equitable sourcing methodologies and other interactions with the communities it serves. Here is what to look for when seeking an MSP partner with strong social conscience.

When building the request for proposal documents to send to prospective MSP providers, there are important “social conscience” data points to address. The answers to which should provide insight into a prospective MSP partner’s attitude toward the human and environmental impact of their service offering. Prepare your procurement team to make an informed decision on the partner you engage to be your representative to the talent pool, and ensure their operations satisfy the criteria of social responsibility. In so doing, they’ll not only select the provider with the most affirmative posture toward critical labor resources, but they’ll also protect the integrity of your organization’s brand in the eyes of increasingly socially aware consumers.

This last part is especially important in today’s market environment where consumers expect the businesses they frequent to act responsibly and to be good corporate citizens. So, when selecting an MSP for talent sourcing, procurement pros should probe the following dimensions of sustainability within a prospective MSP’s operations:

• Environmental Impact – when placing contract workers, does the orientation include an understanding and commitment to the client’s broader environmental sustainability policies?
• Social Impact – does the MSP provider demonstrate sufficient commitment to engaging and supporting diversity suppliers; do they leverage suppliers that recruit within clients’ communities; do they maintain specialized recruiting initiatives for veterans, the disabled and other honored groups?
• Governance Framework – how robust are the prospective MSP’s documented policies and audit processes and how dedicated are they to ensuring consistent compliance with all labor laws and safety regulations? Creating a safe and responsible work environment is a mark of commitment to socially conscious organizations.
• Financial Performance – is the prospecting MSP provider a financially responsible business? Does it comply with GAAP principles for its own business as well as ensuring financial controls are in place for worker and supplier payment, etc.?
• Economic Impact & Opportunity for Growth – the ultimate mission of an MSP is to put people to work in situations which enable them to contribute while advancing their skills and experiences and promoting career opportunities. Does the MSP provider demonstrate a commitment to the long-term satisfaction of its most important resource – talent?

Selecting a Managed Service Program solution provider that meets the above criteria helps to ensure that the hiring organization meets with or exceeds today’s heightened benchmark for socially responsible business operations. 

To read more on this subject, turn to nextSource for expert guidance and visit our managed services page.

Blog, MSP/VMS, Human Resources, Best Practices, Workforce Management