Four Steps to Building Community Engagement in Your Company

One of my core foundational beliefs is to support my community. When I co-founded Insperity in 1986, we pursued a “culture by design” strategy which started with creating our mission statement and a list of foundational values. That mission statement was and remains: helping businesses succeed so communities prosper. We knew that supporting our community was not only the right thing to do, but it was also good business.

According to the Boston Center for Corporate Citizenship, companies supporting corporate citizenship are twice as likely to gain access to new markets. Nearly 90% of companies surveyed found a positive correlation between volunteer participation and employee engagement. Supporting community involvement means a company can attract top talent loyal to the business; talented individuals who will be more engaged and productive.

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) promotes a positive company brand and is a powerful influence on consumer behavior. So how can your company get started with a CSR program?

First, identify what drives your company’s mission and values, then align your CSR program accordingly.

Second, communicate with your employees. Ask them what they are passionate about and consider including their interests in your plan. They will, in turn, be more committed to the company. Keep them informed about the company’s community engagement initiatives and encourage their participation.

Third, offer them a variety of options for their involvement. Some employees may want a hands-on experience while others may want to volunteer virtually.

Fourth, consider some ways to make it easier for your employees to give back such as allowing for payroll deductions, offering donation-matching, and giving employees paid or unpaid time off to volunteer. Finally, recognize employees for their efforts and celebrate the difference they make in the community.

At Insperity, we offer twelve hours of paid time off per quarter, payroll deductions, a matching gift program, a volunteer recognition program, and a wide range of choices for how to volunteer. We host regional and national company-sponsored events and actively champion a culture of volunteerism. We have found that it increases the spirit of teamwork, increases employee engagement, and has helped both our employees and the communities we serve. Philanthropy is its own reward, but it is good for our business, especially our brand. Insperity is widely recognized for its giving spirit and we routinely make the lists of best places to work.

If you have questions about how your company can make a difference, access our article, The Insperity Guide to Corporate Social Responsibility: The Benefits of Giving Back.