Mainstreaming philanthropy on behalf of employee mental health in corporate sectors is a long-winded mouthful to say. Some say it is something as mundane as ‘positive out, positive in’. How do employees respond to corporate charitable practices? It is indeed an up-and-coming corporate philosophy that companies are embracing worldwide. Many companies are actively promoting new and innovative ways to express concern for employee mental health and finding ways to involve employees in positive programs to ensure improving mental health and job satisfaction. Corporate charity is gaining momentum and it seems to be having a significant impact on many aspects of employee’s mental health including a sense of worth, sense of responsibility and company loyalty. A win-win.
Today’s young adults entering the workforce want more than just financial compensation. They are interested in joining a company with a conscience or like-minded socially responsible philosophy. Providing such an opportunity not only brings employees with similar belief systems to a company, but also promotes psychological growth and balance of mind for the employee. These opportunities can be beneficial for employee mental health, as they can increase feelings of competence and self-esteem. Creating a corporate culture of generosity and social responsibility with employee involvement does indeed improve employee mental health.
A charitable corporate program exists between a non-profit charity or foundation that speaks to the company’s brand. Typically, the selected charity(s) receives funds, goods, or services from the corporation. This corporate generosity is equally beneficial for the business’ reputation, sales, productivity, and employee stability. For example, Kraft Heinz uses digital and social media fundraising to match donations to a food drive each time their Facebook page is liked. Google uses another philanthropic tactic; they provide micro lending to entrepreneurs based in developing countries. These methods and many more give employees positive signals that the company they work for cares.
From a corporate perspective it stresses inclusivity and team building among employees and executives. There are numerous ways to directly involve employees in charitable activities, such as payroll deductions, matching payroll deductions, local and virtual volunteering, digital fundraising including employees in conversations with charity heads, and hosting in-house charity campaigns. These initiatives indirectly enhance employee satisfaction and morale, and completes a virtuous circle. Employees become an integral part of the process of making positive changes to humanity and society.
RippleMatch.com provides in an extensive list of major companies that are jumping on the bandwagon using philanthropy to implement mental health programs. Pinterest for example launched ‘Don’t Don’t Yourself’ which partners with The Mental Health Coalition to raise awareness of the negative effects of social media on employee well-being. From this campaign, statistics showed that not only was the program good for employees but was also a positive change for the user.
As a participant in corporate philanthropy, I have witnessed the positive impact of corporate giving. Even with the smallest amounts, the results can and often are quite dramatic for everyone involved, and I have seen employees benefiting mentally and emotionally who work for these companies. They are embracing and experiencing personal growth, and report an increased sense of self-esteem. Employees are also given the chance to act collectively in a way that is convenient and affordable, and which may have not been feasible on an individual level.
Overall, corporate philanthropy with employee involvement does indeed have a positive impact on an individual’s mental health and emotional well-being.
Emily Rivera Is the marketing director at the Be Global Foundation
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