Employee retention with CSI volunteering

Think that your Corporate Social Investment (CSI) initiatives don't impact your bottom line?

Wrong.

Your CSI initiatives are very likely the reason your business is the one recruiting and keeping top South African talent. In a highly competitive market for the best-of-the-best talent, how a business interacts and supports its community can be the difference between a potential hire choosing you versus a competitor.

Trialogue's Business in Society Handbook (2023) points to how a CSI volunteering programme with access to Causes and community development, can fundamentally change your employee’s relationship with your business and not only be used as a tool for recruitment but support retention too.

92% of the 600 surveyed employees agreed that EVPs are an important aspect of corporate citizenship. 83% said that their company’s commitment to the community makes them proud to work at the company. 91% believed their volunteering has a positive impact on the organisation and the beneficiaries they support. Added to this, 67% of surveyed volunteers noted that volunteering had allowed them to develop key skills that could be applied to their work.

Your company's commitment to society and community will earn you engagement and commitment from your employees.

It’s not the ping pong tables and feng shui indoor garden that builds a culture that retains employees. It’s the ability to engage with community, learn new skills and feel fulfilled. It’s opportunity, emotional wellbeing and sustainable personal growth.

And these are not just the demands of the much-maligned millennial, either. Generation X is the one that volunteers the most and Generation Zs have seen a boost in volunteers, especially around areas such as climate change, according to US-based Pew Research Center.

In short, employees are looking for ways to make a difference. Your CSI strategy is the perfect tool to make this happen.