As holidays approach, it is time to give back to our local community, friends, and family. Due to the ongoing global situation, it may be challenging to give back meaningfully, but it is also an excellent opportunity to bring a remarkable difference to people’s lives through volunteering.
Often, volunteering activities occur during workdays, making it tough for employees to balance giving back and paycheck collection. It is here where Volunteer time off or VTO comes into the picture. Here, we share information on VTO and why it should be implemented.
Volunteer Time Off
Many organizations are now implementing VTO and enjoying its immense benefits. If what is VTO is what you’re wondering, in simple words, Volunteer Time Off gives flexibility to your employees volunteering during the workday and getting paid.
It allows the employees to give back to society without giving up full-day wages. This plan is built into paid time off plan to make it easier to track sick, vacation, and bereavement days.
Volunteer Time Off Program
The Volunteer Time Off Program or policy must incorporate time take-off by employees, volunteering activity requirements, and the way employees can get approval on their request. The organization needs to choose Employee Volunteering Policy details that work perfectly well with the organization’s goals.
A small-sized company may allow employees to take one-day VTO a year to volunteer to teach a class at a shelter, clean a highway or beach or spend a day working at a food bank. Conversely, large-sized firms may allow employees up to five days of Voluntary time off a year.
Why should an organization implement VTO?
We gain so much from our family, friends, society, and community as a whole. Therefore, there is always time to give back to the community in a meaningful way. It can be in any form, serving at a local polling place or a child’s school. The only thing that matters is that the employees must strive hard to bring good to the community.
In these times, employees look for more from their job besides a good paycheck. An opportunity to help the world even in a small way goes a long way in retaining top talent. A study conducted by Core Communications showed more than 75 percent of employees are ready to stay with a company allowing them with Paid Volunteer Time Off to work for the betterment of society.
Thus, the zeal to work with a socially responsible company has taken over, and employees look for companies where their personal goals align with the organizational goals. It also helps in reducing employee turnover.
Volunteer Time Off Benefits
Besides attracting and retaining top talent in the industry, implementing the Employee Volunteer Program Policy brings many other benefits to an organization. It helps employees give back to the local community and improve their mental and physical health.
Here are some major benefits of Volunteer Time Off Best Practices.
Giving Back to the Community
The most important benefit of Volunteer Time-off VTO is encouraging employees to step out of their comfort zone and bring a difference to people’s lives in the surrounding area. It improves a company’s reputation and sets it apart as a socially responsible and conscious organization.
Improves Mental Health
Many companies have embraced Volunteer Time Off Guidelines and implemented them to enjoy their amazing benefits. It also helps in improving the physical and mental health of their employees. A study indicated that 93 percent of employees reported jubilant mood, and 79 percent reported reduced stress levels after adopting Volunteer Time Off.
It has been seen that employees who volunteer enjoy a sense of overall well-being. It also keeps them motivated, which reflects in their work performance. Employees volunteering have also reported controlled blood pressure, keeping them in good cardio health.
Recommended Read: The Ultimate Guide to Employee Wellness Program [2022 Updated]
Learning New Skills
Employees get a chance to learn new skills away from their workplace. They work in a new field and get hands-on experience, which helps them perform their role perfectly in an organization. It is seen that employees volunteering hone their leadership and communication skills by overseeing or managing a volunteer training program.
Gives a Sense of Purpose
Volunteering gives a sense of purpose to the employees and a chance to see how their efforts are bearing fruits, bringing change to people’s lives. It brings them a sense of belonging, accomplishment, and confidence. This feel-good factor gives them an emotional boost and makes them lead fulfilled lives.
If you wonder how to use volunteer time off, it is a paid leave, and employees get compensated for hours they serve in an approved community or charitable organization. Thus, this VTO gives a chance to the employees to do some good work for the community without facing the loss of pay.
Recommended Read: 80 Employee Benefits Ideas for Remote Workers [2022 Guide]
Can An Employee Volunteer To Work Off The Clock?
Non-exempt workers cannot volunteer to work off the clock and must be paid for all hours they put into work. Organizations need to implement Employee Volunteering Policy Templates as part of a more extensive social responsibility program and enjoy its long-term benefits.
