Profiles of Businesses Committed to Volunteerism in New Brunswick:

Aliant Pioneers

Sun Life Financial
Volunteer Program



“Having employees involved in voluntary activities sends a message to the community that the business sector is concerned about community issues. By supporting community, businesses are building the overall health of the community. In turn, a better business climate is established and the well being of employees and customers increases. Supporting employees who are in leadership roles in the community increases the visibility of the business, strengthening employee morale and the pride employees have in the company they work for.”

Employer-Supported Volunteerism
Volunteer Canada
www.volunteer.ca

Employer-supported Volunteerism
A win-win-win proposition

Employer–supported volunteerism refers to the support employers give to their employees involved in volunteer activities. This support comes in many forms along a continuum.

Low

Medium

High

minimal employer
support and
involvement
mid-range employer
support and
involvement
maximum employer
support and
involvement
employee driven
and directed
employee-initiated
(but company-supported)
volunteer projects in
place
employer driven
and directed
recognition
program
in place
policy in place
regarding time
off for volunteering
multifaceted,
integrated
programs
volunteering done
on employees'
time
company holds
volunteer events
volunteering done
on company time,
on company payroll
employer tacitly
supports employees'
volunteerism
(for example, when
the employer does not
object to an employee
receiving or making a
call relating to his/her volunteer work
employer gives
employees one hour
of time off to volunteer,
and employees donate
an hour of their own
time (for example, when
an employee donates a
lunch hour to tutor at a
local school and the
employer donates an
hour of the employee's time as well)
involves company
expenditure

individual or unit
designated within
company to support volunteerism

for example, approved
use of company
bulletin boards for posting volunteer activities
for example, matching
grant programs and special recognition or awards
for example, volunteer events that feature a corporate brand;
branded volunteer programs in place

Adapted from:The benefits and challenges of employer-supported volunteerism. Volunteer Canada.

Employer-supported volunteerism creates a situation where everyone wins.

The Company

  • increases public image
  • improves relations with community groups, the public and employees
  • creates a healthier economic and social environment
  • improves employee morale, productivity and loyalty

The Employee

  • learns new skills
  • enhances self-worth and confidence
  • gains additional experience for career growth
  • adds to a healthier and more fulfilling life

The Community

  • increases the number of active volunteers
  • influx of experienced volunteers
  • provides support for needy individuals and groups
  • strengthens philanthropic donations

Great Resources:

From Knowledge Development, Canada Volunteerism Initiative: From the 2000 National Survey of Giving, Volunteering and Participating:

Tools to help you with an employer-supported
volunteer program:

Planning an Employer Supported Volunteer Event

Manager's Tip Sheet For Planning Volunteer Activities

Tip Sheet for Employee Volunteers

Making it Happen in your Workplace!

Check out the following great articles at

charityvillage.com:

  1. Volunteer leave programs mark progressive firms
  2. Guidelines for starting a corporate volunteer program
  3. Employer-supported volunteerism: the good news partnership
  4. How to develop a corporate volunteer program
  5. Surveying the health of corporate support for volunteerism
  6. Marketing for the cause: A growing trend in corporate philanthropy
  7. How one company gets employees volunteering


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Developed by:

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In Partnership with:

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