Younger Employees Who Volunteer More Loyal, Satisfied

June 3, 2011 - A new Deloitte survey reported that millennials who are regularly involved in workplace volunteer activities are more likely to be proud, loyal, and satisfied employees compared to those who rarely or never participate.  

The eighth annual Deloitte Volunteer IMPACT survey found that millennials who frequently take part in their companies’ volunteer activities, compared with those who do not, are: 

  • Twice as likely to rate their corporate culture as very positive (56% versus 28%);  
  • More likely to be very proud to work for their company (55% versus 36%); 
  • More likely to feel very loyal toward their company (52% versus 33%); 
  • Nearly twice as likely to be very satisfied with the progression of their career (37% versus 21%);  
  • More likely to be very satisfied with their employer (51% versus 32%); and  
  • More likely to recommend their company to a friend (57% versus 46%).  

The survey also revealed that millennials strongly favor (70%) companies that serve their community, and are likely to factor a company’s commitment to the community into their decision if choosing between two jobs with the same location, responsibilities and pay and benefits.  Even the majority (61%) of those who rarely or never volunteer say the same.

Half (51%) of all millennials surveyed also reported wanting to benefit professionally from their volunteerism. Skilled volunteers, who use their business acumen to help nonprofit organizations, are more likely than “hands-on” volunteers to say it is important that their volunteer efforts benefit them professionally (72% versus 56%), and to be motivated by career advancement (47% versus 34%).  

Joseph Echevarria, Deloitte CEO, said in a press release: “This is a strong argument for making volunteerism a business priority, because employee engagement and organizational culture are inextricably linked to organizational performance.”

 

-Sara Kelly 

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