Terri O’Brien
Corporate Programmes Manager, Volunteer Ireland
Employee volunteering strategically supports employee growth while helping companies achieve environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals and comply with corporate sustainability reporting directive (CSRD)requirements.
By prioritising employee engagement in volunteering, companies can foster a positive workplace culture and demonstrate a genuine commitment to community and societal responsibility.
Social impact and company culture
Volunteering not only contributes positively to communities but also strengthens corporate culture by enhancing employee satisfaction, promoting inclusion and developing key skills. By incorporating volunteering into your ESG strategy, your business can align with global standards, create a work environment of belonging and invest in both talent and communities.
Successful volunteering programmes and
activities are built on thoughtful planning,
clear expectations and mutual respect.
Quality in employee volunteering
For employee volunteering to be most valuable, it needs to go beyond a simple team-building exercise or a feel-good initiative. Effective volunteering is a well-planned collaboration between a company and a charity, ensuring that employees’ time and skills contribute to real, identified needs within the community.
Successful volunteering programmes and activities are built on thoughtful planning, clear expectations and mutual respect. It’s important to recognise that charities operate with limited resources and must focus their core efforts and time on delivering a service to their clients. To create meaningful partnerships, businesses must be prepared to invest time, resources and flexibility. Effective volunteering is a well-planned collaboration between a company and a charity, ensuring that employees’ time and skills contribute to real, identified needs within the community.
Key considerations for meaningful volunteering
- Understand charity needs: Take time to assess how your company can provide relevant and effective support.
- Respect charity capacity: Many charities have limited resources and may not be in a position to engage large corporate groups. Be patient and supportive.
- Plan and organise effectively: Consider site visits, budgeting, safety measures and resource planning to ensure smooth collaboration.
- Flexibility and commitment: Be adaptable with scheduling and ensure enough employees are recruited and show up for the volunteer activity.
- Invest in partnership: A single event is a good start whereas ongoing relationships, financial support and strategic skills-sharing create long-term benefits.
By keeping these considerations in mind, companies can create volunteering opportunities that empower employees, support communities and strengthen ESG commitments.
To join one of Volunteer Ireland’s weekly online employee volunteering information sessions, contact [email protected]
