The Benefits
Employee volunteering can do wonders for your business. It can bring people together, teach them new skills and remind them that they can make a difference. It is also a great way to prove your commitment to your staff and to your corporate social responsibility obligations.
So what are the benefits of an employee volunteering program for your company...
Rewards and incentives
Gone are the days when a pat on the back and the dubious title of ‘Employee of the Month’ were enough to keep people happy in the workplace. The highest quality employees now demand so much more and a well targeted volunteering project can act as a memorable reward for outstanding groups and individuals.
Team-building
As the business world becomes more and more demanding the importance of team-building is increasing. It’s a vital business tool and if you’re going to excel in your field you need to make the most of it! Staff development programs encourage employees to develop a strong group ethic so they can effectively work together to achieve company goals and objectives.
“The business now has a group of people who understand that working well as a team isn't just about doing the work.”
- Deborah Lodge, Employee Volunteer, HBoS
Personal development
With the escalating costs and uncertainty surrounding recruitment, personal development initiatives have never been of such financial significance. An employee volunteering program can help your staff reach their full potential by teaching them new skills and giving them new perspectives. Forget trying to educate people in a classroom, put them to test in the real world and watch them flourish!
Recruit and retain
The overall employee turnover rate for the UK in 2006 was 18.2%, and with the average cost of finding and training a new employee resting at £8,200 (£12,000 for senior management) the cost to businesses can be crippling*. In order to survive, the innovative modern business must prioritise employee retention.
Investing in a staff development program will demonstrate your commitment to your staff and their personal advancement. Not only will this help to reduce employee turnover but it will attract new staff to your business.
*Research conducted by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development
Corporate Social Responsibility
Employee Volunteering is a great way to bring your CSR strategy to life while making a positive contribution to the world around us. We are operating in a business environment in which customers, staff and investors are increasingly concerned about the role of business in the global community.
Reputation and credibility
Far be it from us to turn something as challenging, rewarding and positive as employee volunteering into yet another PR and branding exercise: but it can have a far reaching effect in those fields. By demonstrating that you fully embrace your social responsibilities and by letting this become part of your branding, PR and marketing strategies, you can improve the wider perception of your company and your ability to trade in the global market place.
