Volunteers Do Not Necessarily Have The Time; They Just Have The Heart by Marc LeVine

Corporate social responsibility is measured in terms of businesses improving conditions for their employees, shareholders, communities, and environment. But moral responsibility goes further, reflecting on the need for corporations to address fundamental ethical issues such as inclusion, dignity, and equality.?- Klaus Schwab

One of the special considerations today’s jobseekers seem to care much about - when looking for their first or next employer - ?is social responsibility.? Apparently, all the negative news and stories they have heard about corporate greed, corruption and controversy has soured them on the business culture in America.

Today’s newest professionals want to work for companies they can be fully on board with and can also feel great pride in working for.?They are looking to join companies that “give back” to society rather than those with questionable business ethics, lack of interest in helping their employees develop, and show no interest in contributing to the communities they do business in.?

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Corporations "Giving Back" Is a Proper Thing to Do

It is wonderful that so many of the young people entering America’s work force wish to hold businesses accountable to doing good for the people of our country. After all, ours is the country that got them everything they have. Would they be quite as fortunate running their companies in communist nations or under authoritarian dictatorships? ?We think not. So, many believe that successful American business owe something back to their country along with paying their fair share in taxes. They must constantly be reminded that it was America that birthed them, aided them in many ways (financial and otherwise) and continues to help them to thrive here like no other place ever would.

And, What Will You Do as an Employee?

However, there is also a flip side to all this for the employees of American businesses that is rarely discussed by the media.?It ties into a familiar speech that former President John F. Kennedy once gave back in the early 1960’s – “Ask not what your country can do for you.?Ask what you can do for your country.”?When JFK’s speech is applied to American careers it hits a similar chord? What charitableness we seek to find from businesses should already be present in our daily lives.?Before we ask businesses what they are doing for society, we must first ask ourselves what we have already done and what are we prepared to do.?Are we being charitable with our own time and money?

When was the last time you donated and or volunteered your money and time to a cause you believed in??No doubt many of you have.?But too many still have not.?We know this because charitable foundations and service organizations that need financial and in-kind support are hurting throughout America.

There Aren't Enough Volunteers to Help Out

I spent more than 10 years as a councilperson in municipal government.?I came away from my recliner and gave up watching Monday Night Football to serve my community.?In that role, I was appointed to liaise with many local committees that my town struggled to fill with interested and committed volunteers.?In fact, our all-volunteer Fire and First-Aid departments suffered through many years of struggling to find enough donations and volunteers to maintain their operations. ?This was very disappointing to see.?My message to voters every election was NOT to vote for me unless they were willing to come away from their television sets and actively support my efforts on their behalf. In other words, come out and help!

Many of today’s more progressive employers are building credible initiatives around community service and will need their team members to step up and make themselves available to these efforts.?Community service is not only about funding charities with corporation dollars.?It is greatly about organizing and sponsoring large teams of employees assembled for civic duty purposes and unleashing them into their communities to do good for those in need.?

Employees of sponsoring organizations may be granted some work hours to volunteer themselves.?Others may be asked to contribute some of their own time to a particular charity or group their employer has chosen to support.?Will these calls be answered??One would hope so, because those expected to volunteer are the very same ones who have been calling on their employers to do more.?The bluff may have to be called, but it would be much better if everyone just joined in to do their part.

Here are some suggestions for helping create a charitable two-way street.

1.??????Suggest Voluntary Initiatives to Your Employer. ?Like any other issue you go to your boss with, suggest something you wish to be considered and offer your strategy and time.?If your company presently has no volunteerism programs underway, encourage your human resources team to initiate one and volunteer to be involved.

2.??????Become a Volunteer on Your Own.?There is no better way to influence others to act than to create an admirable example of yourself acting.?Let your employer know that you already volunteer and for whom.?Suggest that they consider supporting that organization and others in your community to be a better business neighbor and a socially responsible company.?Remind them that as a byproduct of their support are excellent business and employer branding benefits.?Customers are also very loyal to vendors and suppliers that “give back.”?

3.??????Spread the Good Word.?Being a role model can do a lot for admirable behaviors. People tend to copy them! Don’t keep what you and your employer are doing for your community a secret.?Tell everyone at work and around town about the great things going on and encourage them to also get involved.?Use your social media channels to create greater awareness for these efforts and be sure and give credit to whomever deserves it, including your company and those in its management supporting these noteworthy efforts.

4.??????Be a Mentor.?As new people join your company, influence them to join you and other company team members in volunteering for service through your employer’s volunteerism programs.?They may not be aware of all the opportunities that may exist for them. ?And they may also need some coaching to learn how they can be most effective, while representing the company and their teammates in the best possible light.

The employer/employee relationship has changed a great deal these past few years and will continue to do so for many more.?In many ways it is all for the better.?The relationship between employer and employee is leveling out and there need not be a winner positioned over a loser in the end. The field is set for more win-wins.?The only way to ensure that we keep moving in this better direction is for us to do our part and show our employers that all the hard work and compromise is worth it. ?That the results of these efforts improve employment relationships as well as the bottom line.?Employers are beginning to realize that the health of their bottom line can often be best improved by positive headlines.?When the news is great, so – usually - are their business prospects!

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The Author

Listen to Marc's latest interview on “Failing for You” with Jordan Yates

Marc LeVine is a graduate of Syracuse (NY) University with a degree in Industrial Psychology, Marc is currently Talent Acquisitions and Learning and Development Lead at Thermo Systems. He is the recipient of the Excellence in Talent Acquisitions Award from HR Awards in 2021.

Marc's prior employment includes senior Human Resources and Staffing Industry management roles with Edgewood Properties in Piscataway, NJ, Brickforce Staffing in Edison, NJ, InfoPro Inc. in Woodbridge NJ and Plainsboro, NJ and Harvard Industries in Farmingdale, NJ, a former Fortune 500 company. He also served as Director of Human Resources for New Jersey Press, the parent company of the Asbury Park Press, Home News and Tribune and WKXW-NJ101.5. Earlier in his career, Marc served as Director of Career Services and Placement at Union Technical Institute in Eatontown and Neptune, NJ. In addition, Marc owned and operated Integrity Consulting Associates, a New Jersey based Human Resources and Social Media Marketing firm for 11 years. Marc also served as Council President in his hometown of Freehold Borough, NJ