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April 2007
Nearly two-thirds of Gen Y employees surveyed prefer companies that let them volunteer skills
Companies that help their employees volunteer their professional skills to nonprofit organizations could have a leg up when it comes to recruiting Gen Y talent, a new survey of 18–26 year-olds shows.
Nearly two-thirds of the respondents (62 percent) in the 2007 Volunteer IMPACT survey by Center member Deloitte & Touche said they would prefer to work for companies that give them opportunities to contribute their talents to nonprofit organizations.
The survey also found that companies can do more to leverage their community involvement and corporate volunteerism programs to attract employees. Although many companies offer volunteer programs, only 26 percent of employed respondents said their company’s community efforts were mentioned when they were recruited.
“Several studies have shown that Gen Y employees want to make a positive difference in society, and, at the same time, nonprofits need help dealing with business and organizational issues in order to better deliver their social missions,” said James H. Quigley, chief executive officer of Deloitte & Touche USA. “Companies that connect these two important realities, and encourage their people to contribute knowledge and experience to nonprofits, will make a difference by giving back to the community – and at the same time build the skills and morale of their people.”
According to the 2007 Volunteer IMPACT Survey, four out of five respondents (80 percent) identified themselves as volunteers and 97 percent of respondents believed companies should offer their employees opportunities to volunteer their work-related skills or talents to nonprofit organizations.
“This generation expects to make a difference. They give of themselves and they want their employers to help them contribute as well,” said Stan Smith, national director of Next Generation Initiatives at Deloitte & Touche USA. “Companies that facilitate meaningful community involvement opportunities for their people will be very attractive employers.”
While there are many reasons people volunteer, a vast majority of volunteers surveyed (74 percent) said they do it to have a meaningful impact on their communities or to fulfill a personal desire to give back. Most Gen Y volunteers (80 percent) are also confident that nonprofits could benefit from their professional skills and talents.
The fact that volunteerism can also help them advance their careers is not lost on this generation. Four out of five respondents who volunteer (82 percent) believe it helps them develop leadership and other important workplace skills.
Although 97 percent of Gen Y volunteers believe companies should provide opportunities for their employees to volunteer their work-related skills or talents to nonprofits, only 39 percent of Gen Y employees say their companies currently provide those types of opportunities. And fewer still (30 percent) found the existing volunteer opportunities to be compelling. Hochberg considers those findings missed opportunities by employers.
“Many companies have community involvement and volunteerism programs, but they have to resonate with employees if they are truly going to deliver both social and business outcomes,” he said. “Potential recruits want to know they will have the chance to make a valuable difference, and this should be communicated early and often during the recruiting process.”
Last year Deloitte & Touche USA modified its approach to community involvement and employee volunteerism by introducing a long-term initiative to achieve meaningful social and business outcomes. This new approach enables employees to contribute their workplace skills and talents to nonprofits to help them overcome their strategic, operational and financial challenges.
As one example of its ongoing commitment to its communities, on June 8, Deloitte & Touche USA is encouraging the nearly 40,000 employees at its U.S. firms to make the community their client and participate in the eighth-annual IMPACT Day. Many of the events that take place on IMPACT Day allow Deloitte employees to volunteer their professional skills to nonprofits in their communities.
» View the complete 2007 Volunteer IMPACT Survey
» View more April 2007 articles |
