According to a study by Deloitte, companies with strong volunteer programs have 57% better employee engagement and 50% better retention rates than those without volunteer programs. As a business owner or executive, you're always looking for ways to improve your company's reputation and engross your employees. An employee volunteer program is a structured initiative that encourages employees to engage in volunteer work and community service. Companies can implement these programs to support social causes, build a positive brand reputation, and improve employee engagement and retention.
In this blog, we'll discuss the importance of having an employee volunteer program policy, how it can benefit your business, types of corporate volunteer policies, and components of employee volunteer policy, and some real-life corporate volunteer policy examples.
Employee or corporate volunteer program policy is a set of guidelines that outline how a company's employees can participate in volunteer activities. The policy typically includes components such as types of supported volunteer activities, time off and compensation policies, liability, and risk management procedures, reporting and evaluation processes, and a code of conduct for employees.
Employee volunteering policies play a crucial role in establishing a well-defined framework of guidelines for employees to adhere to while engaging in volunteer activities. This ensures everyone is on the same page and working towards the same goals.
In addition, a well-crafted corporate volunteer policy serves as a safety net for your business by mitigating potential legal risks. By setting clear guidelines and procedures for volunteer activities, the likelihood of accidents or injuries during such events can significantly reduce, thereby safeguarding your business from liability.
What’s also great about a policy like this is its ability to synergize with other major company initiatives. This can lead to a greater sense of purpose and cohesion among employees, resulting in more meaningful and impactful volunteer work.
Here are some key benefits of having an EVP policy in place:
It's important to choose policies that align with your company's values and goals and to have clear guidelines to ensure the policies are implemented effectively. Here are a few of these policies:
To help you get started with your employee volunteer program, here are a few corporate volunteer policy samples from other companies:
IBM is a company that has a strong commitment to corporate volunteerism, and its corporate volunteerism policy reflects this commitment. The IBM Corporate Volunteerism policy is designed to encourage and support employee volunteerism and community service, to make a positive impact in the communities where IBM operates. It also provides guidelines for employees who want to participate in volunteer activities, including information on how to request time off work for volunteering and how to log volunteer hours. IBM also offers a volunteer grant program, which provides financial support to non-profit organizations where employees volunteer regularly.
The Starbucks volunteer policy provides employees with opportunities to volunteer during regular work hours or outside of work and includes several programs to support and recognize employee volunteerism.
Key components of the Starbucks volunteer policy include:
Starbuck 's mission statement is "to inspire and nurture the human spirit - one person, one cup, and one neighborhood at a time." The company's volunteer policy is aligned with this mission and serves as a way to promote social responsibility and community engagement among its employees.
Microsoft’s robust volunteer policy allows employees to engage in various volunteer opportunities throughout the year. The company's mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more, and its volunteer policy aligns with this mission.
Under the Microsoft Volunteer Policy, Microsoft employees are encouraged to volunteer in their local communities individually and through group activities. The company provides resources such as a volunteer portal that employees can use to find opportunities and track their volunteer hours. It also offers a matching gift program, where the company will match employee donations to eligible organizations.
Corporate volunteer program policies can vary depending on the organization's size, industry, and specific objectives. Here are 6 key components that most policies should include:
1. Purpose and Objectives: The policy will outline the overall purpose and objectives of the corporate volunteer program. This section should clearly articulate the organization's goals for its volunteer efforts.
2. Volunteer Activities: The policy will guide the types of volunteer activities that are supported by the organization. These activities can include anything from environmental clean-ups and disaster relief efforts to mentoring and educational initiatives.
3. Eligibility and Participation: The policy will specify who is eligible to participate in the corporate volunteer program, as well as any requirements for participation. This section should also include information on how employees can sign up for volunteer opportunities.
4. Time Off and Compensation: The policy will address time off and compensation related to employee volunteer activities. This can include paid time off, flexible schedules, or even extended leaves of absence for long-term volunteer commitments. In addition, companies can offer compensation or other incentives for employees who participate in volunteer activities, such as matching gift programs in which a company matches donations made by employees to eligible non-profit organizations or rewards for reaching certain volunteer milestones.
5. Liability and Risk Management: The policy will include liability and risk management provisions. To mitigate potential risks, the policy should outline the steps the company will take to manage potential hazards and reduce liability. This may include :
6. Reporting and Evaluation: The policy will track employee engagement and measure the impact of the corporate volunteer program. It should provide clear guidance on how to report volunteer hours and activities, including any forms or documentation required, and also specify the timeframe within which employees must report their volunteer work. Additionally, the policy should outline how the organization will evaluate the impact of its corporate volunteer program. This may include metrics such as:
Creating an extensive corporate volunteer program policy is essential to ensure your volunteer activities are safe, effective, and rewarding for everyone involved. Here are some guidelines to consider when creating a corporate volunteer program policy:
By including these elements in an employee volunteer policy template, organizations can create a clear and comprehensive policy that aligns with their corporate values.
In conclusion, as a business executive or manager, you have the opportunity to create a policy that not only benefits your organization but also empowers your employees to give back to the community. We hope this was helpful!
Empower your business and community with impactful volunteering experiences. Scale your CSR efforts and make a difference both locally and globally. Plan your CSR program today!
