Study Shows Volunteering Boosts Motivation

Volunteering is obviously a great way to give back to your community, but did you know that it is actually mutually beneficial? 

A recent study, co-published by the CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development), showed that workers who take up volunteering are more productive and motivated at work, not to mention they even feel they have improved their communication skills. This just shows how important it is for employers to encourage their staff to take up volunteer work. 

The study polled a total of 1000 people who took on virtual volunteering activities, such as career insights talks, mock interviews, mentoring or serving as a school governor. The results showed that after volunteering:

• 80% of the workers felt they had enhanced their communication skills;
• 79% said that volunteering improved their sense of mission at work;
• 68% reported greater motivation at work;
• 26% felt more productive while working;
• 94% described that they had gained a better sense of society and its issues;
• 99% felt they had made a difference to young people’s lives.

“It’s clear to see from the research that employers who support their staff to take part in meaningful volunteering work will be rewarded with reinvigorated employees benefiting from improved skills and competencies,” Peter Cheese, chief executive of the CIPD said. “Furthermore, this will help in retaining people and becoming an employer of choice for the best talent in the future.”

Volunteering is clearly a mutually beneficial activity, bringing benefits to the recipient, volunteer, and even the volunteer’s employers. The CIPD truly believes that volunteering should be included into a company’s core values and employers should encourage their workers to do good and give back.