Why Employee Volunteer Programs Matter

As our business grows, we are looking for new and exciting ways to not only service our clients, but our local community as well. That’s why Webfor is announcing our employee volunteer program. Salaried staff members are now eligible to take up to two days of paid time every year to volunteer at an approved charity organization.

The benefits of employee volunteer programs go well beyond helping those in need (though that’s pretty great, too!). So if you run a company that doesn’t have a program in place yet, here are some of the reasons to consider it beyond that great feeling of helping others.

Raised visibility for your company. Giving back to your community raises your visibility and certainly improves perception of what values you are promoting at your company. This can only open new opportunities for you to prosper.

You attract better employees. Make your volunteer program visible. When people know about it, you not only enhance your corporate reputation, you attract better employees, those who are driven by the same values you uphold.

Improved employee morale. We all agree that taking part in charity work makes us feel good, but that emotional impact is far reaching. First, it helps foster camaraderie among employees. It’s easy to keep your nose to the grindstone and focus only on your daily tasks. When you have the opportunity to build relationships within your organization (or at the very least cordial conversation beyond work), it helps workers be fulfilled.

Happy employees tend to stay with your company, providing stability as you grow. Happy employees are also more likely to be more productive. Volunteer programs tend to strengthen the sense of being part of a team, one that you take great pride in being associated with it. According to findings from a 2010 UnitedHealth Group survey, 76 percent of the employees who volunteered felt better about their employers due to their involvement in volunteer activities. Oddly,  a different survey in 2013 from UnitedHealth Group found that same number (76 percent) said volunteer programs made them feel physically better and 78 percent reports a lower stress level.

Engaged employees improve your bottom line. It just makes sense: people who care about what they do will do a better job. In 2011. Realized Worth reported that “for companies where employees were more engaged than not, their profitability jumped by 16 percent, general productivity was 18 percent higher than other companies, customer loyalty was 12 percent higher, and quality increased by 60 percent.”

While the saying may be “it’s better to give than to receive,” the two don’t have to be mutually exclusive. In the case of implementing a corporate volunteer program, your giving will result in plenty rewards as well.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]