An extensive report from The Australian Charities Fund and the Centre for Social Impact gives clear proof of the correlation between workplace giving employees and employees who have higher motivational levels and pride in their employer than those who are not donors.

Workplace giving - where employees give money or time to a charity through their workplace - is still in its infancy in Australia.  Since 2002, almost $100 million has been donated to charities through Workplace Giving programs supported by The Australian Charities Fund.

The research is substantiated proof that workplace givers have higher levels of employee engagement, which many studies have shown enhances organisational outcomes.  CEOs who took part in the survey highlighted employee engagement as their top objective for workplace giving.

Australia is waking up to the power of workplace giving. We are calling for all employers across Australia to get involved in workplace giving, highlighting that it’s a highly effective way to drive employee engagement, improve organisational performance and make a difference in the community.  

Some employers have asked if workplace giving makes sense for their organisation. This research shows the direct correlation between people involved in workplace giving and highly engaged employees.  The research shows people who do the giving are simply more engaged, more motivated and prouder of their employer.

It clearly makes good business sense to encourage employees to give through their workplace. Workplace givers are more engaged and that leads to better organisational outcomes.

The research also shows workplace givers are twice as generous to charity as people who aren’t involved in workplace giving programs.  This creates more new money for charity.

The engagement of employees is a critical topic for employers.  Workplace giving programs are a must-have if you want to engage and keep employees and deliver better results.

Eighty-one per cent of those surveyed said their total giving overall had increased because of being part of a workplace giving program; 34 per cent of those surveyed take part in their employer’s workplace giving program.

Sixty-one per cent of those surveyed said they were interested in getting involved in workplace giving and just 5 per cent said they had no interest.

It is obvious the potential is massive.  If the number of Australians giving in the workplace rose to one million and they donated $5 a week, that would generate over $250 million per year for charities in the community sector. Workplace giving gives employees more meaning in their work.  They are more willing to give effort to help employers succeed.

At a time when loyalty is a big issue for employers this shows that a massive number of people want to give through their workplace... and that they feel better as a result.

Edward Kerr is CEO of the Australian Charities Fund.

Details: www.australiancharitiesfund.org.au