5 Best Practices for Encouraging Volunteering in your Workplace

When you think of the word “volunteering,” what’s the first thing that comes to mind?

For most, it’s the idea of helping others or giving back to the community. But for social impact leaders, two other words stand out: Employee Engagement.

The insight shows that not only does volunteering benefit communities, It also plays a significant role in boosting employee engagement and enhancing workplace culture.

Of course, the real challenge is building volunteering programmes that employees are excited to engage in.

Today’s employees are looking for more than opportunities to give back. They want purpose, connection, and impact. So how do you design a programme that supports these needs?

To help you answer that question, here are our top five best practices for planning and executing a meaningful and successful volunteering programme.

1. Offer curated volunteer opportunities

Not all employees are motivated by the same causes, and that is exactly why tailoring volunteering opportunities can be so effective. When you give employees the freedom to engage with causes that matter to them, they’re far more likely to get – and stay – involved.

2. Create a culture of purpose across your organisation

Employees want to feel like their voices matter. Pairing volunteering efforts with resources like Employee Resource Groups is a great way to foster inclusion, strengthen team bonds, and nurture a sense of purpose and belonging within your team.

3. Combine giving with volunteering

The 2023 YourCause CSR Industry Report reveals that companies that combine giving and volunteering opportunities have double the engagement of those offering just one. Integrating these two elements allows your workforce to contribute to the causes they care about using the method that best fits their needs.

4. Reward and recognise your team’s efforts

Offering rewards and incentives is a powerful way to drive ongoing engagement with your social impact programes. Whether it’s giving employees paid time off for volunteering or providing pounds for participation, rewarding their service helps employees feel engaged, valued, and connected while encouraging continued involvement in your programme..

5. Make participation simple

One of the biggest challenges in fostering employee participation is the complexity in finding and joining volunteering opportunities. Luckily, tools like the YourCause CSRconnect platform make it easy to browse, sign up for, and track volunteering events – all in one place. Whether it’s a one-off individual event, custom global volunteer campaign, or a skills-based volunteer project, providing a seamless experience helps keep employees engaged and active in your programmes.

Remember: The easier it is to get involved, the more likely it is employees will participate.

Creating a successful volunteer programme is more than just offering opportunities. By following these best practices, you’ll be able to create a volunteer initiative that inspires your employees, strengthens your community, and makes a lasting impact.