The latest edition of a survey by The Citi Handlowy Leopold Kronenberg Foundation, conducted among participants of the Employee Volunteering Program at Citi, shows that not only the beneficiaries, but also the volunteers and companies themselves benefit from activities connected with assistance for others. Employee volunteering has a positive impact on professional skills and efficiency and directly translates into a sense of satisfaction among employees.
"The results of this year's survey show that volunteers have noticed that involvement in community work has had a significant effect on their professional skills. More than 88% of respondents believe that volunteer activities have improved their ability to work in a group. Not much fewer, 83%, state that the volunteering program has improved their ability to plan the organization of work, while 82% of volunteers have developed their communication skills thanks to involvement in community activities," says Krzysztof Kaczmar, President of The Citi Handlowy Leopold Kronenberg Foundation.
There are a variety of motivations for undertaking volunteer activities, but among Citi employees the desire to help others is dominant. Although doing something useful for those in need gives a great sense of satisfaction, few volunteers are aware of the fact that not only the beneficiaries of community projects, but also they themselves benefit from volunteering.
Increases empathy and social awareness
83% of this year's respondents believe that participation in voluntary actions has increased their awareness of problems facing their community, and almost as many respondents agree that it was now easier for them to understand the situation of others.
Increases efficiency
88% and 82% of respondents respectively have noticed an improvement in their ability to work in a team and in their communication skills. A similar percentage (81%) draw attention to the progress they have made with regard to organizational skills. Through volunteering, Citi employees are better organized, can more precisely define their goals and set priorities, have a stronger ability to synthesize/analyze information and accurately assess risks (planning and organizing skills, decision-making abilities). More than half of the respondents acknowledge that thanks to their involvement in employee volunteering work, they have gained a better understanding of the context in which the company operates - its mission and vision, but also the possible constraints (business awareness).
It is worth noting that volunteers want to use their professional skills to help others - nearly one in two respondents (47% percent) would like to help others by making use of their skills and expertise. The target group that Citi employees would most like to help is children and young people, with local communities in second place.
Brings happiness
Nearly three-quarters of respondents report that volunteering has increased their sense of satisfaction with life. It is significant that as many as 9 out of 10 respondents would recommend volunteering to others, and nearly the same percentage of respondents indicate that they would like to expand their volunteer activities. This is the perfect confirmation of the argument that volunteering brings happiness and ... is addictive!
