With the holidays firmly upon us, it's the time when the more philanthropic employees start approaching managers to donate time and money to various causes and charities.
But is it worth the effort? This article over on Monster.com gives some of the facts behind the benefits of giving.
According to a study, mentioned in the article, by LBG Associates, a recent study of 50 major companies in the US has shown a "growing commitment to community involvement." The same study shows that the benefits of volunteering within the community not only elevates the profile of the company but provides a major morale boost to the employees.
"People like to know they are working for a company that cares," says Linda B. Gornitsky of LBG Associates.
Of course, announcing a chance to volunteer the night before the event is probably a bad idea. One of the keys to a successful volunteer program is to make it easy for employees to give of their time and money. Plan the events enough in advance. Make sure the employees know exactly what is involved and try to ask employees to participate personally rather than a cold e-mail.
So, if you are looking for something to really boost morale, improve the company's image in the community and to do something great during this season, volunteering is the way to go. It takes planning and communication, but it can be done and it can be good for everyone, including yourself.