By Paola PeraltaAugust 22, 2024, 3:03 p.m. EDT
Most HR leaders would agree that what’s good for people is usually good for business, a philosophy that is best supported by giving back to the community as a company.
In-person volunteer rates are becoming increasingly popular, according to a new report from software company Blackbaud, making up 87% of all hours donated — a nearly 21% increase from 2021 and a 6% increase from 2022. Employee engagement in volunteer activities has also increased 17% from 2022, which employers should take as an indicator for how pivotal of a role they can play in their recruiting and retention strategies.
“It’s aligning with what’s going on in the broader society,” says Leila Saad, CEO of nonprofit Common Impact, which creates social impact programs for businesses. “For better or worse, we spend a lot of time at work and we now look to our workplace to really encourage community engagement and volunteering.”