How to Accelerate Volunteering through Employee Volunteer Programmes

This research empirically investigates various company practices and policies associated with high rates of volunteer participation in employee volunteer programmes (EVPs). Data were taken from surveys conducted in 2014 and 2015 among companies in the United States with an annual revenue of $1 billion or more, with 166 companies included in the analysis. A multivariate linear regression was used to analyse the effects of various company policies on the percentage of employees participating in EVPs. The following policies were assessed in this analysis: including community engagement on performance reviews; awarding “Dollars for Doers” grants for volunteering; providing awards or recognition for engagement; offering paid time off to volunteer; and providing employee training on community engagement. Findings indicate different levels of comparative benefit afforded by diverse EVP policies and practices.