Doing good at work.

Wellbeing
6 November 2019 |  5 min read 

 

A Millennial Workforce poll found the “mission factor” is not limited to one generation and that women are more likely to choose mission over money than their male colleagues (73 versus 61%).¹

Today many companies offer employees the chance to give back as part of their job package. It could be a day spent at a community garden, or a home for disadvantaged children; it might be a fun run to support a cause. Sometimes it’s even a chance to donate to your favourite charity and have the company match your donation.

The good news is that there’s plenty of opportunity to feel connected and help change the world.

Finding a company that gives back

If you’re looking for an employer who offers you opportunities to give back, it may be easier than you think. A 2019 survey by Corporate Workplace Giving and Volunteering Platform, goodcompany.org, found 88% of companies believe community engagement was extremely important to the success of their business, and their leaders were happy to share and support their employees’ passion for the community. This support is provided across a number of ways, including payroll giving, paid volunteer leave, fundraising activities, charity gift cards, sponsorship and other pro-social activities.

What's in it for you

There’s nothing quite like the warm, fuzzy feeling you get when you do a good deed for someone else.

If you’ve practiced random acts of kindness, such as paying for the person behind you at the checkout, or even picking up essential groceries for an elderly person, you’ll know what we mean. But if you can do something good while you rise through the career ranks, surely that’s an added bonus. Apart from the feelgood factor, Edwin Trevor-Roberts, CEO of Trevor-Roberts career specialists, says one of the greatest values for employees is the opportunity for personal development.

Volunteering can build skills in empathy, adaptability and agility or problem-solving, all talents you can use in your everyday role.
“The second value is the opportunity to form meaningful relationships with others where you can feel a sense of contribution,” he says.

How doing good can benefit your employer and your team

Studies have shown that time off for volunteering is an important tool for staff engagement. Trevor-Roberts says: “People experience meaningful work when they are intrinsically motivated to serve others. Providing that opportunity as an employer is a sure-fire way to enhance motivation among your staff.

“It’s also reassuring to see many organisations stop thinking of themselves as commercial islands but as an interconnected reef where the wellbeing of one rests on the wellbeing of many.”

According to Australia Human Capital Consultant for Deloitte, David Brown: “Society’s expectations of business are changing. The focus is now clearly on businesses’ role in society as a driver of change.” In the past, business performance was measured on financials alone. Today, society capital is just as important, says Brown.²

Corporate social responsibility

No matter where you work, or where you spend your earnings or invest them, there’s no doubt that having the chance to help or support others is what many of us value now.

Because caring counts, some of Australia’s leading companies, including QSuper, are increasingly building corporate social responsibility (CSR) into the fibre of their organisation.

QSuper, for example, is committed to forming partnerships that make a real difference in the community, such as DVConnect, one of Australia’s busiest domestic and family violence hotline services and the First Nations Foundation’s Brisbane Big Super Day Out.

It also has an internal workplace giving program that enables employees to donate to nominated charities with pre-tax dollars.

Be inspired

With the right information, you can make informed decisions about your career, financial security and life goals.

Through education, inspiration and collaborative events, the She’s on Q community gives you access to practical financial skills, resources and real-world ideas – and plenty of opportunities to meet other confident, smart women, like you.

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Personal view disclaimer
The views of the author are not necessarily the views of the QSuper Board and QInvest Limited Board. We’ve put this information together as general information only.

1. https://www.theladders.com/career-advice/millennials-career-survey
2. https://www2.deloitte.com/au/en/pages/media-releases/articles/employees-business-social-conscience-employers-listening-190418.html