Employee Volunteerism in the Workplace is on Rise, According to Survey Data from 149 Major Companies

During National Volunteer Week last week, the Association of Corporate Citizenship Professionals (ACCP), the nation’s leading advocate for corporate social impact professionals, called attention to survey data the organization conducted in conjunction with YourCause from Blackbaud showing employees participating in volunteer activities in the workplace continues to increase, and companies are also offering a greater variety of options and time-off to employees to support volunteerism. Furthermore, in-person and virtual volunteering options have become standard in corporate volunteerism programs as remote work continues to be prevalent. 

ACCP’s 4th Annual CSR Insights Survey was conducted in April 2023 and measured results from 149 major companies participating.  These companies in total represent more than $1 billion in community investments.  The survey was fielded to focus on the corporate social impact field to better understand the trends impacting corporate social responsibility (CSR) and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) professionals.

Key data points on employee volunteering in the workplace from ACCP’s 4th Annual CSR Insights Survey, include:

• 61% of survey respondents reported that participation in employee volunteer activities increased in 2023, a welcome sign compared to the decline in recent years primarily due to the COVID pandemic.
• To increase participation rates, companies are offering a greater variety of volunteer options. Survey respondents noted increased opportunities for group volunteering (59%) and more focus on in-person volunteering opportunities (48%) while also adding more options for individual volunteering (35%).
• 25% of survey respondents experienced an increase in their employee engagement budgets in 2023.
   

“During National Volunteer Week, we applaud the millions of employees in the workplace who have stepped up to be of service and are giving back to all areas of community life.  Through impactful employee volunteerism programs designed and maintained by ACCP members, the front-line corporate social responsibility professional, today’s workplace is increasingly becoming a critical place for volunteerism efforts throughout our country,”  said Association of Corporate Citizenship Professionals (ACCP) president and CEO Carolyn Berkowitz. "Employee volunteerism programs increase engagement and tangibly align corporate values with those of employees. In today’s highly competitive talent market, employee volunteerism and giving are essential strategies for recruiting, engaging, and retaining staff.  A recent IBM study showed that 70% of job seekers are more likely to apply for and accept an offer from socially responsible companies.”

ACCP’s survey data found “participation in employee volunteerism is increasing and continues to adapt to the changing workplace.”  Additional data comes from ACCP’s 2023 Making the Case for Corporate Social Impact, which helps corporate citizenship professionals build a compelling, data-driven business case for the value of corporate responsibility initiatives.

In a recent national guest opinion-editorial piece titled, “Debunking Five Myths About ESG:  Beyond Compliance and Reporting” in The Well News, Berkowitz points out that “ESG practices are not going away because the work has never been more important.”  The reason why?  As Berkowitz points out in her guest commentary, “Deriving business value from these efforts is critical…industry professionals and companies are holding steady and continue to press on with advancing this important work.” Berkowitz, in a previous opinion piece in Forbes, pushed back against anti-ESG groups and individuals in the vocal minority peddling false and misleading information attacking corporations for enacting business policies that engage employees, enhance bottom-lines, help grow our economy, and strengthen communities.