Employees Say They Want to Volunteer

Three out of four people say they would participate in community-service activities sponsored by their employer, a new survey has found.

Prudential Insurance Company of America paid for the telephone survey of approximately 1,000 Americans.

The survey also found that while Americans seem ready and willing to volunteer, many have not been asked to do so.

Less than half (48 per cent) of the respondents said that their employers arrange and publicize volunteer activities.

Even though high percentages of people may express interest in volunteering, evidence shows they don’t always follow through.

On October 3, 13,000 of Prudential’s 78,000 employees around the world — or about one-sixth of its work force — gave up their Saturday to take part in a volunteer day sponsored by the company. Prudential made numerous efforts to encourage its employees to choose their own volunteer activities, which ranged from beach cleanups to costume parties for children with cancer.

For a copy of the survey results, write to Prudential Insurance Company of America, 751 Broad Street, Newark, N.J. 07102-3777.