CSR Manifestations in Health Care Facilities in Poland During the COVID-19 Pandemic

This chapter describes some aspects of Corporate Social Responsibility currently under discussion by both scientists and economic entities. CSR is a relatively new term in Poland, only recently introduced into the public discourse, brought into prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic, both in business enterprises and health care institutions. This chapter presents manners in which CSR is implemented in Polish health care institutions, influenced by the socioeconomic situation, by Polish history, by the actions of various social actors, and, recently, also by the COVID-19 pandemic. The coronavirus pandemic changed the world. Since March 2020, we live in constant uncertainty concerning, among other things, recurring infection surges. We are not currently able to predict how much longer this situation will persist and how it will influence the overall health of the populace. Health safety and care become an increasingly important value in society. This chapter presents the actions undertaken by Polish health care institutions, particularly the family doctors (general practitioners) for their patients, specifically patients diagnosed with COVID-19, as well as preventative measures for society as a whole, such as vaccinations or promoting healthy living and so on. Health care institutions are also a workplace for the doctors, nurses, and administrative staff. The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work ran a seminar on the relationship between Corporate Social Responsibility and health and safety at work. There can be no doubt that ensuring safe and hygienic working conditions and ensuring the employees are healthy part of social duties of companies and as such can be seen as an integral part of CSR. Using selected Polish health care institutions as examples, we will describe the methods for creating safe and healthy working conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic in this context.