Workers Who Frequently Volunteer Are Happier With Career Progression

28 June, 2011 - A new Deloitte survey reveals that millennials who frequently participate in workplace volunteer activities are far more likely to be proud, loyal and satisfied employees compared to those who rarely or never volunteer.

The eighth annual Deloitte Volunteer IMPACT Survey reveals that, compared to those who rarely or never volunteer, millennials who frequently participate in their company's employee volunteer activities are:

  • Twice as likely to rate their corporate culture as very positive (56 percent vs. 28 percent);

  • More likely to be very proud to work for their company (55 percent versus 36 percent);

  • More likely to feel very loyal toward their company (52 percent vs. 33 percent);

  •  Nearly twice as likely to be very satisfied with the progression of their career (37 percent vs. 21 percent);

  • More likely to be very satisfied with their employer (51 percent vs. 32 percent); and,

  • More likely to recommend their company to a friend (57 percent vs. 46 percent)

"Our own experience has demonstrated the positive outcomes of a strategic corporate volunteer program," said Omar Fahoum, Chairman and Chief Executive at Deloitte in the Middle East. "It's very exciting to have research that more broadly quantifies the connection between workplace volunteerism and several drivers of positive organizational culture among millennials."

In the Middle East, Deloitte volunteers who were part of the sample targeted for the study are active in education and skills building corporate responsibility initiatives. At the global 2011 Deloitte Annual meeting held in Washington DC, Injaz Al Arab, a MENA region youth skills building NGO, was awarded $250,000 as grant for a new project with Deloitte Middle East around entrepreneurship.

The study also showed that more than one-third (37 percent) of those who frequently volunteer are more likely to be very satisfied with the progression of their career. These and other findings from the Deloitte 2011 Volunteer IMPACT Survey suggest a link between volunteerism and the quality of employee engagement as well as favorable employee perceptions of organizational culture.

At a time when one-third of millennial employees are considering other career options, these findings may offer new insights about a powerful way to engage workers among this age group. "The data shows that, on many levels, employees who regularly volunteer are much more connected than those who do not volunteer," said Rana Ghandour Salhab, partner in charge of Talent at Deloitte in the Middle East. "This is a strong argument for making volunteerism a business priority, because employee engagement and organizational culture are inextricably linked to organizational performance. What's more, engagement and a sense of ownership are essential to leadership, and we recognize the need to cultivate leadership qualities in all our people, and celebrate responsible leadership."

Widespread Impact on Image and Reputation Underscores Business Value

Deloitte survey findings also suggest that the benefits of creating a culture of service extend well beyond active volunteers. As expected, millennials strongly favor (70 percent) companies committed to the community. However, even among those millennials surveyed who rarely or never volunteer, more than half (61 percent) say they are likely to factor a company's commitment to the community into their decision if choosing between two jobs with the same location, responsibilities and pay and benefits.

Millennials Seek Social and Career Benefits from Volunteerism

Millennials, who are often characterized by their passion to change the world, are also motivated to volunteer by more than altruism; half (51 percent) of all millennials surveyed want to benefit professionally from their volunteerism. Skilled volunteers, who use their business acumen to help nonprofit organizations, are more likely to seek a professional return on investment for their volunteer efforts than "hands-on" volunteers:

  • Skilled volunteers are more likely than traditional volunteers to say it is important that their volunteer efforts benefit them professionally (72 percent versus 56 percent).

  • Skilled volunteers are also more likely than traditional volunteers to be motivated by career advancement (47 percent vs. 34 percent).

2011 Volunteer IMPACT Survey Methodology

Results of the 2011 Volunteer IMPACT Survey are based on online interviews with 1,500 millennials (ages 21-35) who work at organizations with 1,000 or more employees that offer employee volunteer activities or programs. Note: the term "volunteerism" refers to traditional volunteerism, skilled volunteerism, pro bono work and/or nonprofit board service. Interviews were conducted by ORC International between Feb. 22 - 24, 2011. The sample size of 1,500 at a 95 percent confidence level would equate to +/- 2.6 percent margin of error had this been a random sample.

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Deloitte provides audit, tax, consulting, and financial advisory services to public and private clients spanning multiple industries. With a globally connected network of member firms in more than 150 countries, Deloitte brings world-class capabilities and deep local expertise to help clients succeed wherever they operate. Deloitte's approximately 170,000 professionals are committed to becoming the standard of excellence.

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About Deloitte & Touche (M.E.):
Deloitte & Touche (M.E.) is a member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (DTTL) and is the first Arab professional services firm established in the Middle East region with uninterrupted presence for over 85 years. Deloitte is among the region's leading professional services firms, providing audit, tax, consulting, and financial advisory services through 26 offices in 15 countries with over 2,500 partners, directors and staff. It is a Tier 1 Tax advisor in the GCC region (International Tax Review World Tax 2010 and 2011 Rankings) and was recognized as the 2010 Best Consulting Firm of the Year in the Complinet GCC Compliance Awards.

Contact: Ayad Nahas
Title: Regional Public Relations Manager
Deloitte Middle East
Tel: 00961. 1. 748 444
Email: anahas@deloitte.com

© Press Release 2011