In today’s economy, it’s not uncommon for companies to view corporate volunteering as a nice to have instead of a need to have. This can be especially true during an economic downturn as they tighten their belts and eliminate any unnecessary expenses. However, cutting out corporate volunteering misses out on opportunities to engage your employees, give back to causes in need, and boost your brand image in the public eye.
These 8 corporate volunteering statistics deep dive into the benefits of volunteering, from increased employee productivity, collaboration, and loyalty.
1. 80% of employees believe that group volunteering strengthens their relationships with colleagues
With a volunteer day, corporate hierarchy is eliminated as all employees operate on an equal playing field. Duties and responsibilities are evenly split with employees working towards a common goal. This results in increased collaboration and communication—enabling employees to feel a stronger connection with each other.
2. 87% of employees who volunteered with their companies reported an improved perception of their employer
Aside from a paycheck, employees want more from their employers. They want to find their purpose, be provided with autonomy, and have the ability to learn new skills outside their job description. Therefore, employers who support volunteerism in the workplace will be perceived positively by their employees, since volunteering fosters fulfillment, independence, and self-development.
3. 82% of employees who volunteered with their companies felt more committed to their organizations
As employees form positive attitudes toward their employers, their level of commitment (also known as their level of emotional attachment) to their organizations shifts upwards. Having their employer support their needs and interests through volunteering fuels employees’ commitment to continue working for the company and contributing to its success.
4. A well-defined CSR program, which includes corporate volunteering, boosts employee productivity by 13%
As a result of volunteering, employees can improve their professional skills (such as time management, organization, and communication), reduce anxiety, and develop relationships with their colleagues. This clear-headed mindset and acquired knowledge from volunteering results in greater productivity in the workplace.
5. 92% of HR executives believe that volunteering improves employees’ professional skill sets
Time management, organization, and interpersonal communication are a few skills employees can gain and improve upon from volunteering that are all transferable into the workplace. For example, interpersonal communication gleaned from a volunteer day can help an employee communicate more effectively with their coworkers and clients.
6. 77% of employees say company-sponsored volunteer activities are essential to well-being
Company-sponsored volunteer activities enable employees to spend a day outside the workplace to find a deeper sense of purpose, engage in physical activity, and form like-minded social connections with other individuals. It is also proven that helping others releases endorphins and dopamine: both essential to one’s mental health.
7. 74% of employees believe volunteering provides them with a sense of purpose
Employees want to have more than one purpose in life, otherwise known as the intent to accomplish something that brings feelings of joy and success. Whether that purpose is providing assistance directly to those less fortunate or helping make the world more carbon efficient through volunteering, employees will gain a secondary purpose.
8. Employee turnover drops by an average of 57% when employees are deeply connected to their company’s volunteering efforts
The development of new skills and social connections accompanied by a reduction in stress that stems from volunteering not only increases productivity but also improves employee engagement. When employees feel more closely connected to their roles and employer, they are less likely to leave their current organization.
