Employees Want More Chances to Volunteer at Work, Says Study

Title: “2017 Volunteerism Survey”

Organization: Deloitte

Summary: Volunteering is an effective tool to boost employee morale, and one underutilized by employers, says the latest annual survey by the management consulting firm. The finding suggests an opportunity for charities in seeking support from corporations.

Nearly nine out of 10 workers surveyed said companies that sponsor volunteer activities offer a superior working environment to those companies that don’t. However, only 38 percent of respondents said their employer offers organized opportunities to give time to charities.

Results were drawn from interviews in May with 1,000 American adults who were employed at least part time and had volunteered in the previous 12 months.

Among the findings:

n Seventy-seven percent of respondents said they believed volunteering is “essential to employee well-being.” Seven in 10 said volunteer activities were more effective than company-sponsored happy hours in lifting morale. n Sixty-nine percent of workers said they would like to volunteer more. But nearly as many, 62 percent, said they cannot devote time during the day to working for charities.n Employees tend to undervalue volunteering’s role in their career development. Only 18 percent said they believe giving time to charities could enhance their careers, and 36 percent said it could help them acquire new skills.