This month we are launching a series exploring the topic of “Volunteering Time Off” or “VTO”. Part 1 of this series introduces the concept and offers resources.
Volunteering Time Off, or VTO, has become a buzz topic for many companies as of late. It involves encouraging employees to take time off from their job to plug in to their community and the non-profits that support it. Let’s delve in deeper to understand what VTO looks like.
- Typical VTO policies allot for 8 hours of paid time off to volunteer each year.
- Just like Paid Time Off (PTO), VTO usually requires advance notice to the employer and approval for time away from the business.
- Studies have shown that VTO boosts employee engagement and retention.
- Millennials state they are attracted to companies who offer VTO.
- VTO builds loyalty and pride for a company with its employees.
- Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) study states 20% of its respondents now offer volunteering benefits as part of their employee benefits package.
As you look for ways to engage with your employees through VTO, take a look at these resources:
- VolunteerMatch.org—This website makes the business to non-profit connection possible. Non-profits post projects and jobs they need assistance with and then the company builds its team to help.
- Volunteering Is CSR—An arm of Volunteer Match, this blog is for business leaders to educate themselves on best practices and case studies.
- CatchAFire.org—This site connects professionals with nonprofits using their specific skill sets.
- PointsOfLight.org—Founded by President George H.W. Bush, this group offers toolkits to businesses and nonprofits to maximize volunteering efforts as well as offers products to maximize those efforts.
