New research suggests employees would be more productive if allowed to contribute to charitable initiatives during working hours
New research suggests a 1 percent increase in UK workforce productivity could save the economy £17 billion a year.
A survey of 1,007 UK employees revealed that 57 percent would like their companies to contribute more to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and charitable giving.
The survey, carried out by
LeapCR, also found that 63 percent of UK employees believe having paid time off during working hours to spend on charitable initiatives would significantly improve engagement levels.
According to the research, engaged employees are more likely to perform more consistently, remain loyal to their companies for longer and take 3.5 fewer sick days a year, suggesting that greater investment in CSR can yield higher productivity.
UK employees are also keen to see companies pursuing goals other than profit. A considerable 75 percent of respondents want their employer to balance commercial success with progressive CSR policies, including supporting charities.
And a further 49 percent would be more likely to stay with a company that proactively encourages its workforce to donate time, or fundraise, for a charity within working hours.
Malcolm Scovil, CEO of LeapCR, said:
"This correlation between employee engagement and CSR initiatives can't be ignored by UK employers wanting to increase the productivity of their company. If employers don't get to grips with the expectations of employees then they face punitive recruitment costs and unsatisfactory levels of productivity from a workforce that feels its motivations are being ignored."