While extensive literature attests to the financial advantages of CSR, there remains a dearth of systematic reviews exploring its non-financial impact. This study aims to address this gap by critically examining existing literature on employee perceptions of CSR during the pandemic and its effects on psychological capital, engagement, and performance, thereby enhancing our understanding of the role of CSR in fostering employee well-being and performance during crises. In this study, we conducted a systematic literature review. Guided by the PRISMA Statement (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) review method, dominant academic databases including Scopus, ProQuest, Science Direct, Research Gate, and Google Scholar as secondary sources of the database were explored to identify related articles. We analyze their methodological and theoretical approaches. Based on their key findings, we build a research model based on the categorization of dominant research findings and their connections. The review mainly focused on employee perception of CSR during a pandemic and its effect on employees. Given the current global situation, understanding how CSR initiatives affect employees' well-being and performance during such challenging times is crucial. The study offered several significant contributions for practical purposes and a body of knowledge to encourage companies and organizations to implement activities that promote employee psychological capital and engagement to increase their performance. The study provides valuable insights for organizations seeking to enhance employee well-being and performance through CSR initiatives, especially during the pandemic.