Stephen Souky believes that community service could be just as
beneficial to a business as it is to individuals. Over the last several years,
there has been a growing interest in corporations and businesses in the area of
community service, or corporate social responsibility (CSR). The interest
originates from the community, employees, customers and job seekers. For
individuals, community service and philanthropy can have a significant impact
on their lives, even improving their health.
Job Seekers and Community Service
Over the last couple of years, job seekers have begun to take an
interest in a company’s CSR policy before applying for or accepting a job. In
the corporate world, this could mean getting the best-qualified candidates to
work for you based on your CSR policy. People are looking for companies that
have a keen interest in the community. According to a study conducted by
PriceWaterhouseCoopers, 86% of generation Y applicants said that they would
resign from their jobs at a company if the CSR projects started to decline.
Studies have shown that volunteerism in the workplace is making a huge impact
on employee retention and recruitment, and this will only become more prominent
as generation Y moves up the corporate ladder.
Employees and Community Service
Many businesses and corporations have adopted a CSR policy and
have created various opportunities to get their staff involved in community
service projects. The kind of community service organized by the company makes
the employees feel proud about working there and making a difference in the
community. Volunteering for community service helps promote and build a
positive culture in the company and greatly influences teamwork in the
workplace. The greater the number of volunteers, the bigger the impact a
company can make in the community. Volunteering for community service helps
employees gain additional skills that can be used outside the workplace.
HP is a great example of how volunteerism can boost job
satisfaction. The company’s work with “A Billion+ Change” has led to over 1.6
million hours or volunteer work, and employee job satisfaction had risen from
60% to 70% in a matter of two years.
Customers and Community Service
With the increase in the use of social media, customer
perception has a massive impact on a company’s brand. People aren’t just taking
into account the products and services provided by a company, but also what
community service the company is involved in. A classic example of a company
that works with customers is The Walt Disney Company. It has a great reputation
for working together and giving back to the community. Philanthropy and
volunteerism have always been part of its company policy and culture, and the
company has showed true interest in helping people improve their lives.
Stephen Souky is an experienced accountant and the President of
the Niskayuna Girls Travel Basketball Team.
