Ask the Experts

Volunteer Vitality

I had more time to volunteer before college. When I get a job, are many companies supportive of volunteering?


We always appreciate a question that is motivated by a desire to help someone else. Volunteers complain about a college gap, where studies overwhelm their schedules and leave little time for community involvement. You should not be surprised to learn that companies both small and multinational often have direct ties to volunteer activities. The media concentrates on corporate financial pursuits, rather than recognizing charitable ones.

Recent surveys have revealed that companies creating a culture of volunteerism in the workplace can directly boost morale, working atmosphere and brand awareness. Employees surveyed however, do not see volunteering as a way to further their careers or develop new skills. Almost 90% of employees taking the survey believe there is a better working environment at companies that sponsor volunteer activities, and 77% say that it is essential to employee well-being.

Despite all of the goodwill generated by such programs, only 38% of workers said that their companies provided access to company-sponsored volunteer programs. Almost 70% said they are not volunteering as much as they would like and 62% cited lack of time as a reason for not doing so.

It appears that employees recognize the value of volunteering and would like to participate more, but are denied the opportunities to do so. The onus falls on the company to raise awareness and availability of volunteer programs.

One way of encouraging more volunteers is to explain how efforts are helping local communities or recipients. This includes projects such as park conservation, neighborhood metal recycling, reading programs, etc. More workers are likely to join up if they can see direct results of their efforts. Millennials, the largest sector of the labor force, said that they would volunteer more if they had a better understanding of the impact they were making. There could also be more efforts by organizers to explain how volunteering can benefit employees, such as moving into leadership roles more easily. Currently, the majority of American workers do not see volunteering as benefitting them.

One direct way to get local business and their employees involved is a community renovation project. Every town has a block that has been marginalized or building no longer occupied. This type of project requires help from volunteers for building and grounds clean-up and janitorial services, along with skilled labor for renovation work.

Corporate America is recognizing the influence of workplace volunteerism and viewing it as a way to make a real social difference. Companies are increasingly turning to employees to help them make a social impact through volunteer programs. By leveraging workers and pro-bono skilled volunteers, companies can reduce the traditional contribution of dollar donations.

Corporate volunteer programs can assist companies to develop more cost-effective training to prepare the next generation of leaders. Younger more socially aware workers are more likely to volunteer, providing there are opportunities and the programs are well organized and accessible.

The advantages to corporations, employees and the recipients of volunteer programs are clear; it is a three-way benefit. Volunteerism is trending upward, but still more can be done by companies to increase awareness and recruit more workers to join the cause.

The test of a civilization is in the way that it cares for its helpless members… Pearl S. Buck.

Martin J. Young is a former correspondent of Asia Times.