Volunteering. The word can mean a lot of different things. For example, I volunteered to write this blog–and I’m here to talk about something most people reading this post have probably done at least once in their lifetime: giving back. Whether it’s planting trees at the local park, organizing non-perishables at the food bank, or picking up trash along the Chesapeake Bay, more than 60 million people volunteered in 2021, contributing over $122 billion in economic value to people, places, and creatures that needed it.
The Society for Human Resource Management reported that 47% of US companies offered volunteer programs in 2022, up a whopping 40% from 2014. Sure, that looks good on paper. And what company doesn’t want to be seen as a contributing member of society? But there are benefits beyond a good image.
Job candidates are looking for a company who cares.
Did you know 70% of American employees said they would be more loyal to a company that lets them participate in environmental and social issues? Prospective employees are seeking out companies that give back and are staying at those jobs longer. Probably because…
Employees who get to give back are happier.
If you look inside the doors of those companies, their employees are happier and more engaged, especially in this new era of working remotely. Studies show that volunteering improves employee health and creates higher levels of engagement and satisfaction. And we can’t forget about clients. Happier employees lead to happier clients. Who doesn’t love that?
Volunteerism builds camaraderie.
In a world where many companies, including LMD, are fully remote, volunteering as a company is a great opportunity for employees to meet each other face-to-face to bond in an easy-going, casual atmosphere. Meeting new people is less intimidating at an event like this, compared to a company-sponsored dinner or happy hour where you’re maybe wearing less comfortable clothes (let’s face it, we’re all more comfortable in our work-from-home apparel) and feel obligated to talk about work, how bad traffic was, or what score you got on Wordle that day.
Before coming to LMD, I worked for a company that gave back to the community so it was important for me to land somewhere that did the same. LMD does just that. Since I started at LMD, I’ve seen my colleagues' faces on screen daily, and I’m looking forward to meeting everyone in person at our next corporate volunteering event.
You can learn how LMD gives back–and if you’re one of my colleagues reading this, I can’t wait to roll up my sleeves and meet you in a few months at our next volunteering get-together. I’ll be the one with the giant water bottle and lots of SPF 50 to share.
