Employee Volunteer Programs

[Guest Leslie Tritten]

I'm doing some research on implementing employee volunteer or community service programs, in which employees are allowed unpaid time off to volunteer in a community project or service. Does anyone have such a program, and if so, what kind of policies govern how and for what reasons employees may be granted time off to volunteer?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Guest nac]

We're a mid-sized insurance company in New England - Hartford, to be exact.

We strongly encourage community involvement on the part of our ees, to the extent of allowing ees to do community service (not to be confused with "community service") activities or serve in elective office on company time. The policy reads in part, "You may request a reasonable amount of working time to engage in non-political, non-sectarian volunteer activities. You are expected to devote at least an equal amount of your personal time to the volunteer activity." It goes on with the usual manager approval and suggests that volunteer activities be coordinated through our Public Affairs office . . . In practical terms, a few hours a month are ok, but you're expected to match it on your own time. We have people involved in local things like Habitat for Humanity, ASPCA, and of course the various United Way members.

Elective office policy allows for up to 10 paid working days during any calendar year, subject to HR and sr. management approval.

[Guest Leslie Tritten]

nac,

Does your program require that an employee provide "proof" that they were actually volunteering during their time off, like a volunteer coordinator's signature? And do you limit your allowance of Volunteer time to specific types of community service? For example, I can see someone wanting to "volunteer" to help out at their child's school, helping with programs, parties, etc., but I wouldn't necessarily see this as community service. Do you have specific guidelines?

thanks