The Benefits of Engaging Your Employees with Volunteering  

Companies that actively support and collaborate with charities are not only contributing positively to the wider community – they are also making a smart business move.

Research has found that those businesses that donate over 0.5% of turnover are twice as likely to experience enhancements in company reputation and are nearly 50% more likely to find it beneficial for recruiting and retaining staff.

Moreover, charity work fosters collaboration and cohesion among employees, breaking down social barriers by providing non-work-related topics for bonding.

Adopting a corporate social responsibility mindset enriches the ‘Social’ component of your ESG agenda and can also support Environmental strategies depending on the charities chosen.

To reap these benefits, employers must effectively engage their teams with the chosen cause.

How can employers achieve this?

Firstly, involve employees in choosing the charities to support. When the supported cause aligns with the company’s mission and values, as well as those of the team, it fosters immediate excitement and engagement. This could include supporting a charity for a cause that has personally impacted staff members. Identifying the mission is the first step, and encouraging employee involvement boosts enthusiasm.

Highlighting charity as a core value during recruitment and onboarding is also effective. This can include offering a set number of volunteer days in benefit packages, allowing employees to volunteer while still being compensated. Involvement in charitable projects during the initial weeks of onboarding can also serve as an icebreaker and assimilation tool.

And, importantly, find ways to make it enjoyable! Collaborate with charities to understand their fundraising methods, such as Race For Life or fun challenges like growing a mustache for Movember.  Whatever the cause – and whatever employees are doing – make an effort to sponsor some (or all!) of your team to take part to actively engage everyone and provide a change from the workplace.

Successfully engaging teams in fundraising and volunteer work provides access to numerous business benefits while contributing positively to society.

If you would like to discuss how we can support your engagement with charities and philanthropy, please get in touch with us today.