How
Volunteering Improves Your Employees’ Performance
Whether you send a team of employees to help build a home
with Habitat for Humanity or sort canned goods at an area food bank, your
employee volunteer program makes a difference in your community and underlines
your commitment to corporate social responsibility.
The strongest return,
however, might be in your workplace. Research shows that volunteer programs
strengthen office camaraderie, enhance employee professional development and
raise levels of employee engagement, all factors that lead to a happier
workforce and better retention of top talent.
Building a Work Force for Good
Nearly 60 per cent of
companies surveyed now offer employees paid time off for volunteer work,
according to the America’s Charities’ Snapshot 2015 survey, and 82 per cent
of employees surveyed said they want companies to give them the opportunity to
volunteer with their peers in company-sponsored projects.
The payoffs are clear. A study by UnitedHealth Group reveals
that 64 per cent of employees who volunteer say that
volunteering alongside their colleagues strengthens their relationships in the
workplace. An almost unanimous 96 per cent agree that the
experience enriches their purpose in life and gives them a deeper connection to
their communities and to others.
Increasing Engagement
and Company Pride
Boston
College’s Center for Corporate Citizenship asked employers to weigh in on the
value of employee volunteerism. The Center’s report revealed that 90 per cent of
employers cited “improved employee engagement” as one of the top benefits of an
employee volunteer program.
The
same report showed that employees who volunteer:
- Take greater
pride in their company
- Are more likely to defend and promote the company
externally
- Are more inclined to stay with the company
- Are more likely to go above and
beyond required tasks to get the job done
Solving Challenges While Building Leaders
Today’s
companies think beyond simple volunteerism to make the world a better place to
live. CEEP, a collation of CEOs, reports that businesses increasingly use company
talent to solve societal challenges.
The
group’s report shows that pro bono and board service have increased more than any
other kind of employee volunteer program during the past few years. This kind
of volunteer opportunity allows employees to feel empowered to help solve real
problems, from hunger to homelessness, while developing professional and
leadership skills that can be used in the workplace.
A
Harvard Business Review article highlights IBM as a leading example of this
trend. The company gives employees a month to participate in service abroad and
typically deploys 500 young leaders a year on team
assignments. These employee volunteers serve in more than 30 developing
nations, and fulfill their
professional development requirements for IBM through these projects.
According
to the article, the employee volunteer program increases
the company’s retention rate and helps IBM recruit top talent.
Doing It Right
There
are important best practices to follow if you want a successful and effective
employee volunteer program, according to a report from Points of Light, a
thought leader in the volunteer sphere.
Most
importantly, businesses should set established goals and provide clear
direction on the program’ objectives to achieve
those goals. Measuring results of the program
are equally important, including the impact on the company and to society. Remember to celebrate and report the results across
the company and externally.
When
done well, employee volunteer programs benefit society, help your employees
grow, and make them more likely to stay on board. That’s a triple win your
business cannot ignore.