Volunteering is a key and invaluable part of any Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy. Can we measure the benefits? Read more in our blog!

1. December 11th, 2019
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and the Value
of Volunteering

2. About Sustainability Knowledge Group
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organizations around the world.
Sustainability Knowledge Group is a global advisory firm dedicated in creating value, through strategic
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5. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and the Value
of Volunteering
5

6. 6© 2019 Sustainability Knowledge Group
‘‘What is the essence of life? To serve others and to do good.’’ This statement has
been coined by Aristotle and it in a way summarizes the very nature of volunteering.
Volunteering as a form of giving back to others can have benefits both for individuals
and society. Nowadays, volunteering is a key part of any Corporate Social
Responsibility (CSR) strategy and can bring numerous benefits both to employees
and companies and organizations themselves. Also, it demonstrates that a company
is engaged in providing return to society beyond traditional charitable or
philanthropic investments. Employee volunteering programs not only benefit the
community, but they also add value to the recruitment, retention, training,
development, loyalty and overall fulfillment of a company’s employee.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and the Value of
Volunteering

7. 7© 2019 Sustainability Knowledge Group
Employee engagement & volunteering
The link between employee engagement and volunteering is a real and strong one.
Namely, corporate volunteering programs increase engagement levels at work by
creating experiences that can address the individual’s need for meaning,
accomplishment, personal fulfillment and humanity. Demonstration of employers’
support for their employee’s interests outside of the workplace environment can
enhance employee engagement. Also, by providing the opportunity to employees to
ingrate the various parts of their lives into a holistic expression of their individual
values leads to engagement. It could be said that the very nature of volunteering
contributes to engagement. A recent survey has showcased that volunteering boosts
employee engagement and pride, with 89% of volunteers reported increased job
satisfaction and 87% of them reported greater pride in the company.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and the Value of
Volunteering

8. 8© 2019 Sustainability Knowledge Group
Attracting & Recruiting Millennials
Companies and organizations are aware that millennials have a unique perspective
on employment and rather than asking about salary and benefit packages,
millennials are asking about a company’s corporate social
responsibility. A Millennials Survey has showed that “59% of Millennials gravitated
toward companies with pronounced Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs.” This
suggest that organizations that have well-developed CSR programs and strategies
that also include volunteering will be able to attract and retain the new generation
of employees. Millennials are largely motivated by a desire to give back to the world,
and increasingly search for employers that allow and enable them to create positive
impact. Research from Cone Communications has showcased that 74% of employees
find their job more fulfilling when given the opportunity to make a positive impact at
work, 93% want to work for a company that cares about them as an individual and
51% won’t work for a company that doesn’t have strong social and environmental
commitments.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and the Value of
Volunteering

9. 9© 2019 Sustainability Knowledge Group
Employee development
Employee development often takes place through some type of formalized training
that is focused on developing of “hard” as well as “soft” skills. Yet, employee
volunteering programs enable employees to acquire “soft” as well as relevant work-
related skills. Namely, through the process of volunteering, they gain experience and
understandings that make them more effective in their roles with the company.
Usually, employees acquire soft skills such as communication, management and
leadership. Moreover, volunteering is a great way for employees to work together
outside of the office and build relationships and ultimately become better at working
in teams. A survey undertaken by Accenture in the United Kingdom and Ireland has
showed that volunteering develops people and fundamentally strengthens the
business and 76% of volunteers said they developed core work skills.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and the Value of
Volunteering

10. 10© 2019 Sustainability Knowledge Group
Employee Health
Volunteering provides individual health benefits in addition to social benefits. An
earlier research conducted in 2007 by the Corporation for National and Community
Service, Office of Research and Policy Development, has demonstrated that
volunteering leads to better health and that older volunteers are the most likely to
receive physical and mental health benefits from their volunteer activities. Also, the
research has established a strong relationship between volunteering and health:
those who volunteer have lower mortality rates, greater functional ability, and lower
rates of depression later in life than those who do not volunteer.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and the Value of
Volunteering

11. 11© 2019 Sustainability Knowledge Group
The undeniable benefits of volunteering for organizations
All the benefits stated above can definitely help an organization’s bottom line while
also serving the community. Volunteering can undeniably strengthen an organization
and can improve its corporate culture in numerous ways. It presents what an
organization stands for, improves employee attraction and retention, encourages
employees to work together, develops stronger customer relationships and enhances
corporate brand image. Of course, any volunteering scheme in order to be successful,
needs to part of a structured approach, with clear priorities, goals and processes,
linked directly to organizational objectives and the ability to measure its impact.
Successful volunteering schemes are based on structured, honest and regular
engagement with employees, and this is exactly where their strength lies.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and the Value of
Volunteering

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12© 2019 Sustainability Knowledge Group

13. 13© 2019 Sustainability Knowledge Group
Have Trusted us for Training and Consultancy Assignments
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