Volunteering has been well known to benefit us in a wide range of ways for many years now. Indeed, when we do so at work, it has been shown to boost things like our commitment to our job and even job satisfaction.

Research from Stanford’s Graduate School of Business aims to understand why this is. The researchers analyzed data from hundreds of organizations in the UK, via the Healthiest Workplace project, to try and prize out why volunteering makes such a difference.

The results suggest that volunteering has an impact in two ways. The first is by boosting the bonds between employees, and the second is to create a better sense of identification between the employer and employees.

Boosting uptake

The researchers hope that their findings provide a boost to enrollment in employer-sponsored volunteer programs. The authors believe that enrollment could be improved if employees get a clear sense of meaning and purpose from participating. It’s also important to ensure they provide sufficient flexibility and also time to participate.

Suffice to say, volunteering isn’t the only way to achieve this, and the researchers are at pains to point out that this shouldn’t mean managers neglect the other opportunities to create social bonds at work or to build identification with the organization.

If volunteering is offered, however, it’s important that it’s done in a way that both boosts the ties between employees, and also raises the identification with the organization. If it’s unable to do this then it’s unlikely to achieve its ultimate goal.

For instance, the program might require people to volunteer as a group or team rather than signing up as individuals. It’s also important that managers are appreciative of the program and supportive of employees who participate. If employers sponsor and publicize the activities then it goes a long way towards both boosting participation and also bolstering the ties with the organization.

What’s more, volunteering could also help in a hybrid work style in which many people might fear being out of sight of managers. Volunteering could aid their visibility while still allowing them to work from home.