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5 Reasons Companies Should Encourage Employees to Volunteer

9 May 2018

For many organisations, volunteering is an afterthought, but instead, volunteering should be a priority because of the unique advantages. Volunteering looks differently for each business, and volunteer efforts range from a company-wide volunteer day to allowing employees a set number of paid hours to volunteer in lieu of work.

Here are five reasons your company should encourage employees to volunteer:

1. Defines Your Corporate Social Responsibility

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has an important impact on your company both now and in the future, and consumers and stakeholders are concerned with the impact your business has on both the environment and society. CSR is specific to each company, and most organisations choose issues that hold value to them or their industry.

In addition to showing commitment, having a reputable CSR will allow your business to show passion for issues, and display company values to society.

Organisations should spend time developing a CSR because it allows their employees to engage in the community and build a stronger society by addressing social problems.

2. Redefines Your Company’s Image

In today’s society, image is everything, and giving back is a wonderful way to improve your company’s image for both consumers and employees. Consumers are driven to support companies with a strong CSR, and the more visible your volunteer efforts are, the more improvements your rankings will see.

Employees want to work for an organisation that is focused on more than the bottom line and increasing profit margins. As an employer, you need to perform compassionate acts so your employees will view you as human and considerate of others. This will help lower employee turnover and increase employee morale. If your employees see you trying to make a difference for others, they will be more driven to work harder.

3. Builds Teamwork Among Employees

Many companies use volunteering as team-building exercises, and these volunteer opportunities are remarkable because they allow employees to work together while they are performing their volunteer efforts. Not only does this make a difference in society, it builds camaraderie among fellow coworkers.

A volunteer event could be an excellent way for employees to meet each other and foster relationships. Employees will be able to bridge the gap between departments and teams to learn more about one another including strengths and weaknesses, and this will be beneficial for future group projects.

4. Develops Employee Character Traits

Compassionate. Empathetic. Humble. Gracious. Helpful. These are typical qualities of avid volunteers, and by allowing your employees to volunteer, you are fostering these character qualities in your employees. This will help your workforce build character traits that will be an asset to your corporation because they will be able to enhance their leadership and professional skills. Fellow employees will be more inclined to work with employees that have these qualities, and in turn, this will increase your work production.

Volunteering also gives employees an identifiable role within the business. Research has shown that volunteering has lowered stress levels and improved people’s overall health.

5. Gives Back at a Local, National, Global, and Industry Specific Level

One of the beauties about volunteering is that you are making a difference no matter what route you take. Whether it is having a company-wide day to stock a food pantry or allowing your employees to take several hours at a time to volunteer for a cause of their choosing, every effort matters.

If organisations want to designate specific charitable organizations for volunteer purposes, they can choose causes that impact their local community or have a national or global impact. Many businesses choose issues that are specific to their industry.

we love volunteers

Volunteering offers so many benefits for everyone involved, whether it is the organisation, employees, or people directly impacted by the volunteer efforts. Every company should be involved in volunteer opportunities of some aspect because of the benefits offered to the company and society.

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