Every company strives to have engaged employees, and one of the best ways to boost morale is by empowering employees to volunteer their time for causes that matter to them. A Volunteer Time Off (VTO) program offers multiple benefits to both the organization and employee, such as:

  • Enriching your employees’ lives,
  • Fostering a healthier, more productive work environment, and
  • Doing some good in the world. 

Community Impact + Workforce Commitment

Recent stats show that more companies are offering paid time off for employees to volunteer:

  • 65% of companies offer paid VTO.
  • Companies with a VTO program grant their staff an average of 20 hours a year. 
  • The value of a single volunteer hour in 2024 based on the benefit to the organization is estimated to be just under $30. 

And the value of that time is paying off:

  • 70% of corporate volunteers believe volunteerism increases workplace morale more so than other team building events.
  • 67% of individuals say having paid VTO makes for a more positive engagement experience.
  • 89% of Americans believe companies that sponsor volunteer activities offer a better workplace environment.

I recently read an interesting article about a digital marketing company in Denver who offers unlimited VTO. Not many companies can offer this transformational benefit like Revel Interactive, but the Founder and CEO fold Inc. Magazine she instituted the policy when she launched the company in 2011 because she wanted to reward actual output, not just bodies sitting at desks all day. 

One of her employees used the opportunity to become a volunteer firefighter. Ashley Simpson says her time as a firefighter has made her a better employee for Revel. 

Volunteers are Better at Work

Like Ashley, I have had coaching clients say they are more focused at work and are better at time management because they learn to balance work and volunteerism. They can hone problem-solving skills because even when volunteering, you must learn to prioritize and delegate when necessary. 

People who volunteer are also generally happier in their lives. That feeling of giving back to the community tends to spill over to other areas of their lives and they feel like they have greater capacity to do the tasks they are assigned at work. 

The Mayo Clinic reports a correlation to volunteer time and reduced stress, as well as increased positive and relaxed feelings. The National Alliance on Mental Illness links benefits to volunteering as increased happiness, developing confidence and finding purpose. 

Volunteer opportunities are especially important for remote workers because they provide ways to build community. It is a way for workers to get plugged in to their own causes they are enthusiastic about and perhaps meet others who share their interests. Volunteering is a fantastic way to meet like-minded people, whether your chosen cause is reading to children at your local library or walking dogs who are available for adoption. 

Volunteering Could Be a Career Test Drive

I have seen volunteer opportunities lead to work, even new careers. While you may be volunteering out of the kindness of your heart, you are also networking. You are building relationships with others who get to know your work. They understand you as a person and of what you are capable. You never know – a volunteer opportunity could lead to a career transition down the line, and it can happen organically. 

As a career coach, I tell my clients one of the best ways to determine if a career is right for you is by performing the job. Volunteering your services will tell you whether you like working in this career and another benefit is that it adds relevant volunteer experience to your resume. 

Related: How Volunteering Can Drive the Right Career Choice

Even if you have no intention of changing careers, your volunteer work can also build soft skills such as public speaking, communication, teamwork, work ethic, problem solving and time management. 

Distinguish Work from Personal Passions

I’m talking to a lot of clients lately who want to keep their work and personal interests separate, which is interesting because there is a debate going on as to whether work-life integration is replacing the work-life balance we’ve been working on (and struggling with) for so many years (LINK TO BLOG ONCE LIVE). 

I know someone who is learning how to play guitar now after setting it aside for ten years because of lack of time to practice and play. That is not a skill he wants to integrate into his work, but it could transition to a volunteer opportunity one day, if he decided to provide free guitar lessons to his community. 

I have had two different clients who volunteered at a crisis hotline for suicide, but they were not paid by their companies to do it. Each person felt strongly about the cause and about the important work they were doing counseling others in crisis, so they dedicated one night a week for their own personal volunteer work without any compensation. 

Building Community and Teamwork

On the other end of the spectrum, companies are increasingly turning to Habitat for Humanity as a platform for group volunteerism, recognizing the organization’s impactful mission and hands-on approach to community service. By participating in Habitat for Humanity projects, employees can collaborate outside the office, building homes for families in need and fostering a sense of unity and purpose among team members. 

This not only strengthens interpersonal relationships within the workforce but also aligns corporate social responsibility efforts with tangible, community-oriented outcomes. Additionally, these initiatives provide employees with a rewarding break from their routine work, allowing them to contribute meaningfully to societal improvement while developing new skills and a deeper understanding of community needs.

Other companies like Patagonia make headlines for its employees’ support of the environment through its own internship program. This year, the program clocked almost 10,000 volunteer hours for 43 organizations. 

Many business leaders are realizing there are benefits to allowing employees to branch out outside the walls of the office and into their chosen volunteer spaces. This is especially important for Millennials who rate corporate social responsibility as a high priority in any potential employer. With any of these progressive benefits, management needs to mode it and embrace it. Employees should feel like this is a benefit that can and should be used.

If you are considering using volunteerism to determine the viability of a new career, our career coaches can help you navigate that process. 

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