Stanford Professors Jeffrey Pfeffer and Sara Singer have published new research on the subject of company-sponsored volunteering programs. They studied survey data from more than 53,000 employees in the UK. They found that company-sponsored volunteering programs can improve job satisfaction and employee commitment. Perhaps that result does not surprise you. However, this research also identifies two key reasons why these programs have beneficial effects. According to Pfeffer and Singer's findings, these programs enhance social bonding among employees, and they enhance the extent to which employees identify with their employers. What do these scholars mean by "identifying" with employers? They define it as feeling a sense of belonging, being willing to recommend the company to peers, and sharing the values and goals of the enterprise. Singer commented on the research implications:
Employer-sponsored volunteer programs are pretty widespread; it’s just that the uptake isn’t very high. The challenge is really in creating programs that encourage people to participate. You’ve got to make opportunities for things that employees want to participate in because they provide meaning and purpose. You have to provide the flexibility that allows them the time to do it. Creating the conditions that allow employees to participate in company-sponsored volunteering programs is key.
The scholars emphasize one very important point. You won't get the full benefits if people are off volunteering on their own. They need to be conducting this service work in collaboration with their fellow employees. Especially in a time of remote or hybrid work, this time together in person can be vitally important for building commitment to the organization and to one another.
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