THE POTENTIAL RESPONSES OF THE HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT THROUGH CSR IN THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Most of the companies prepared with their responses to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic based on the experiences of the previous worldwide crisis of 20082009. The increase of unemployment had to be taken into consideration by the state, the companies and the households in Central Europe, as well as Hungary, due to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study is to review (i) if there is an effect of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) followed by companies on unemployment, (ii) what possibilities were created by state transfers and new pandemic legislation for the management both in the short and long term of unemployment (iii) what experiences are available at multinational companies operating in various regions for keeping workplaces and the regional reputation of the company and if there is a correlation between the ethical and responsible corporate policy (together with a regional approach) and the management of the external challenges of companies, in particular the management of the workforce-excess due to the decrease of production as a result of the pandemic. The study discusses a comparison of the responses to the pandemic of the first 50 Fortune Global 500 companies and the Hungarian branches of multinational companies. The information was collected by interviews with HR managers of these companies. The study was prepared as part of a research project related to responsible corporate behaviour.