Bosses could increase loyalty among their workforce by showing more commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR), a survey has suggested.
Most workers believe their employer should show greater CSR and nearly two-thirds think their company would benefit if it offered staff paid time off for charity work during office hours, it found.
Some 63% of UK employees said having paid time off in work hours to commit to charitable initiatives would significantly improve engagement in their company, according to research by employee engagement software provider LeapCR.
“The reality is that the UK workforce cares about making a difference in their careers in some way beyond just trading their time for money,” saidLeapCR chief executive Malcolm Scovil. “They expect their employer to share that commitment.
“If employers fail to meet these expectations, either through a lack of CSR initiatives or a failure to communicate what they are doing to their staff, then they will find themselves struggling to remain competitive.”
The study found that 57% wanted their companies to do more towards CSR and 49% were more likely to stay with an employer that encouraged its workforce to donate time or raise money for charity within working hours.
Almost six in 10 said their ideal boss would consider allowing interested staff to take one paid day off every month to support charitable initiatives.
And three-quarters of respondents said they wanted their employer to balance commercial success with good CSR strategies, including supporting charities.
Yet just 58% said they knew their company had a commitment to CSR and 57% felt their employer could do more in that area.
Copyright © Press Association 2011
