According to the Gallup World Poll for the World Happiness Report 2024, America has fallen out of the top 20 happiest countries for the first time. This is not surprising considering the rising costs of living, a daily barrage of unsettling news reports, and the lingering effects of loneliness from the pandemic. Social media, particularly for Gen Z and millennials, has replaced much-needed in-person interactions and oftentimes creates a feeling of missing out. And, while most of corporate America has returned to the office, we still find ourselves spending a disproportionate amount of time at our desks on Zoom calls, as opposed to gathering in a conference room.
One way that companies can help navigate these challenges is by fostering community-building activities in the workplace and providing employees with social purpose. With National Volunteer Month in April, now is a perfect moment to reflect on the benefits of a strong corporate volunteer program that enables employees to make a tangible positive difference in our world.
Volunteering enriches employees
A recent study by Ares Management Corporation investigated the effects of workplace volunteer programs, conducting extensive interviews with more than 5,100 employees across five countries. It’s obvious that volunteering one’s time and expertise to help others benefits those on the receiving end. The goal of this study was to “understand how workplace volunteer programs empower employees to be change agents—not just for others, but also for themselves.” In other words, how do acts of selflessness transform the givers, and how can those effects be measured?
The results are significant and underscore the fact that volunteering enriches the lives of both the recipients and the volunteers. According to the study, employees who participate in workplace volunteer programs are more likely than nonparticipants to express satisfaction with their jobs (79% versus 55%), more likely to be satisfied with their opportunities for professional growth (70% versus 39%), and more likely to be satisfied with their salary and benefits (69% versus 45%). The survey also showed that employees who volunteer are twice as likely to recommend their company to prospective employees.
Maybe we shouldn’t be surprised at these results. I’m sure we’ve all experienced the warm sense of satisfaction that comes from serving others.
offer time away from the office to volunteer
One of the best examples of the positive impact that volunteering has on volunteers is the program at buildOn. This nonprofit organization has an innovative model that seeks to help break the cycle of poverty and illiteracy by providing youth from under-resourced communities with volunteer opportunities. Through service work with buildOn, kids learn courage, resilience, empathy, and passion for what’s possible. BuildOn emphasizes that its impact is not what the organization itself does for students, but rather what the students do for themselves, their communities, and our world.
IBM is also a leader in this space, recognizing the benefits of investing in community service for its employees. The company sponsors its employees on multi-week service projects in developing countries. Enabling volunteers to take considerable time away from the office to travel abroad to make an impact, creates a life-changing experience for both the workers and the communities they are supporting.
Virginia Tenpenny, president, North America, and chief impact officer of Goodera, a leading volunteer-management company, says, “As more companies recognize the employee-engagement benefits of volunteerism, they are shifting from one-off annual volunteer events to strategies that make volunteering a regular part of the employee experience and rhythm of business. For example, Airbnb incorporates volunteering as part of new-hire onboarding as well as in team events and company gatherings.”
Make it easy for employees to volunteer
I can personally relate to the profound impact that service has had in my life and am thankful that my company provided most of these opportunities. As a working mom, it was not always easy for me to find time for volunteering. A particularly memorable and rewarding team outing entailed a visit to Covenant House in New York City. Along with my teammates, we served lunch to homeless youth and spent time sharing stories and offering counsel. I walked away from the experience feeling hopeful that I may have helped brighten a teen’s day in some small way during our time together.
Today, I have the privilege of overseeing NBCUniversal’s social impact efforts. I am incredibly inspired by the sheer volume of volunteers we attract to each event. In 2023 alone, we filled 13,000 volunteer slots. I have heard time and again from our volunteers that they come away from volunteer experiences having gained more than they’ve given. I suspect this is similar at most companies, which explains why participation rates are climbing. Benevity’s The State of Corporate Volunteering report points out that global employee volunteering has surged in the last three years, up 57% in 2023.
So, this month, in honor of National Volunteer Month, I encourage you to think about how you and your company can benefit from a robust workplace volunteer program. Especially in times like today, when we face so many worries and stresses that are out of our control, volunteering offers a mental boost by bringing people together and giving them a way to make a positive difference. And there is no more meaningful way to move the needle on employee wellness and satisfaction.
Hilary Smith is EVP, corporate social responsibility at NBCUniversal.