“Creating a strong business and building a better world are not conflicting goals – they are both essential ingredients for long-term success.” – Bill Ford 🌍

How often have I found myself in a situation where critical or sensitive decisions needed to be made, but the law didn’t offer clear guidance? The law was just silent on that topic…

Too many times. 🤔

Even though there are lawyers and labor inspectors to consult, I often found myself thinking, What’s the right thing to do here?

And too often, most of decisions were made with the company’s interests in mind, rarely considering the impact on the employee… Don’t judge…Listen…

We learn through mistakes, right?

Dukomeze….(Let’s proceed)

As HR Professionals or Managers, we’ve all faced tension between what’s legally required and what feels like the right thing to do. It’s that pivotal moment when you’re not just checking boxes to meet the law but are evaluating where your values truly align with the decision you’re about to make. It’s not an easy choice, but it’s one we all inevitably face in our careers.

Legal requirements? Yes, they matter…And lucky us, in Rwanda they are regularly updated and accessible.

But labor laws are just the minimum.

Think about situations like this:

Should a long-time casual worker benefit from a paid leave? (We know that, most of the time here in Rwanda, casual workers are paid only whey they have worked)

Or what about offering mental health support in the workplace, even when it’s not required by law? The laws may not mandate it, but the question remains: What’s the right thing to do?

This is where the concept of social responsibility comes into play. While legal responsibility is about adhering strictly to laws, social responsibility is about doing what’s ethically right, even when it’s not enforced by law. It’s about stepping up and taking action not because you have to, but because you know it will make a difference. In the absence of clear legal guidance, we have an opportunity to lead with integrity and empathy. 🌟

Let’s take another example: Should we extend health benefits to interns, even though the law doesn’t require it? The law may say nothing about it, but in terms of fostering an inclusive and supportive environment, wouldn’t it make sense to offer benefits to everyone who contributes to your organization? 💼…Unless you consider they aren’t…but am sure they are!

The challenge is clear—operating within the boundaries of what the law demands alone limits the full impact we can have. The best businesses are those that step up and act beyond the minimum. 💪

I encourage you to think about the broader impact your decisions can make. Offering flexible working hours for parents, creating an inclusive workplace for all, supporting mental health initiatives—these aren’t just nice-to-haves, they’re the foundations of a compassionate and forward-thinking organization. 🌱

✨So next time you’re standing at that crossroads—where the law is silent but your heart is speaking—ask yourself: What’s the right thing to do? When you choose to act with integrity and lead with a sense of moral responsibility, you open the door to growth in ways you hadn’t imagined before.

And now you may wonder how have I changed throughout those experience? (who cares?!…hahaha)

As an HR Professional:

  🌱I’ve grown into someone who not only looks to the law for guidance but also embraces a broader perspective, constantly learning from best practices in Rwanda (..INCREDIBLE things are done in Rwanda by the way…be curious and ask) and globally.

   🌱I’ve learned to trust my intuition, knowing that there’s always more to consider beyond the first thought or reaction I have.

    🌱I’ve also come to appreciate the value of sharing with a trusted network and be ready to be challenged.

    🌱And now, when I take a decision, I ask myself: If I were on the other side, would I understand and feel respected by this choice?

Noooo…not all flaws are sorted…I am still a passionate HR Professional on the growth journey, who keep learning by mistakes and choices.

By

Joie-Claire Museke

People Development Advocate | Self-Awareness Raiser