Camaraderie, Employee Well-being
Research shows that volunteer participation is highly effective in improving employee well-being.
For companies worried about falling levels of well-being in the workplace, one important place to focus is on employee volunteering programs.
Research on the is more widespread in the workplace than previously imagined, and less visible than you might think. For example, remote workers might be at a higher risk for loneliness than on-site workers, but there are still plenty of on-site workers with chronic levels of loneliness.
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In addition to the social connection found during volunteer activities, research also shows a link between volunteering and happiness on an individual level. When you volunteer, offer great lessons on how to increase volunteer participation across your organization.
Cisco, for example, boasts an impressive 80% participation rate in its volunteer programs, a feat which has earned it top honors on the 카지노 커뮤니티 추천 that Care list in 2023 and 2024. But they’re not the only company with innovative ways to get employees engaged with volunteer programs. Check out these ideas:
1. Make a volunteer day part of your annual calendar
While you might have missed the window to do something for International Volunteer Day on Dec. 5, you can create your own day to engage employees around giving back to their community. If you’re ambitious, make the day into a week of events.
DHL Group celebrates a Global Volunteer Day for a two-week period across its global workforce in September and October. Celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2023, the program has had 3 million employees participate with 3.1 million hours of volunteer work over that time.
The company hosts approximately 2,000 activities each year, and employees can search for opportunities near them via DHL’s “myVolunteering” microsite.
2. Empower employees with opportunities that match their passions
For large companies, it’s often more effective to support projects that employees already pursue on their own than it is to build a volunteer program from scratch.
At Bank of America, team members can volunteer for causes that are local and match their personal interests as part of Global Service Month celebrated each April. Activities in the past include supporting veterans, caring for shelter animals, fighting hunger, or running races on behalf of a nonprofit.
Salesforce offers additional paid time off for volunteering, which allows employees to donate their time to causes that they choose.
3. Help employees use their expertise to give back
Salesforce also runs a pro bono program that allows employees to contribute their professional expertise to non-profit organizations. For example, employees can offer their skills in areas like marketing, project management, and software development to nonprofits that need support.
Visa created a mentorship program called “Bridge for Billions,” where its employees can meet one-on-one with small businesses from underrepresented communities around the world over a five-month period. Visa employees help their partners define a business strategy, develop financial projections, and create growth plans.
4. Use your technology to connect employees with opportunities
HR platforms that communicate and connect employees across the enterprise can also be leveraged for increasing volunteer participation.
At Mastercard, its internal talent marketplace “Unlocked” not only connects employees with job opportunities and gigs within the company but also hosts the application process for external volunteer opportunities like its “Racial Justice Pro Bono” program.
Salesforce built its own internal platform for volunteer opportunities called “Volunteerforce.” The platform matches employees with opportunities that fit their interests and schedule, helping workers find ways to give back.
5. Partner with your employee resource groups
Your employee resource groups (ERGs) can be essential communities to direct volunteer efforts. At Dow, its ERG for veterans works with , employees can receive Caring Eagle Awards for their philanthropic efforts. First launched in 2018, a total of 36 individuals and 22 teams have been recognized to date.
You can also make philanthropy a part of your wider recognition efforts with rewards for employees to give to a local charity of their choice. Hyatt Hotels donated $1 for every digital message sent by employees during its global “Gift of Gratitude” campaign, incentivizing employes to share messages of gratitude with each other.
The funds benefited select nonprofits targeting issues from water conservation and the environment to fighting human trafficking.
Volunteering can have a profound impact on your culture, boosting pride in the workplace. You don’t have to wait until next year’s International Volunteer Day to get started. The best companies are finding ways to get employees involved all year round.
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