You Want the Best + Brightest? Here’s How

Corporate Social Responsibility Helps in Recruiting and Retaining Top Talent
Jun 17, 2019 2:05 PM ET
Campaign: CSR Trends

Originally posted on CyberGrants | Blog

While most leaders agree that investing in corporate philanthropy and employee giving programs are great for a corporate brand, these initiatives have become more important than ever, especially for hiring and retention.

>89% of executives surveyed said a strong sense of collective purpose drives employee satisfaction - Harvard Business Review's - The Business Case for Purpose

Organizations that have robust giving and corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs benefit their businesses beyond just the “right thing to do” sentiment. Implementing holistic CSR programs that offer a balance of philanthropy with employee giving and volunteering opportunities aids recruitment and retention efforts. These programs not only make a global and local impact, but become increasingly more important to attracting top talent who want to align their values to corporate values, as well as employee retention by keeping morale in the workplace high.

Why It Matters
Corporate philanthropy has been shown to engage employees to be happier and more productive. A recent study showed 90% of companies attribute a positive correlation between CSR programs and engagement levels.

>69% of millennials report that working for socially responsible employers instills a sense of pride, and 64% say it strengthens their loyalty to the employer - PwC Research

>91% of older workers want to do “worthwhile” work, and 86% want to help others - Chimp Technology

Understanding what employees want is critical for leadership as studies have found that they want more from their employer than just a paycheck - they want a sense of pride and to feel the company’s values match their own. Two-thirds of millennials say they won’t work for a company that does not have strong corporate philanthropy efforts. The evidence is there…

>Turnover dropped by 57% in employee groups most deeply connected to their companies’ giving and volunteering efforts. - Engage for Good

To strengthen this point, PwC research also found that:

"Across industries, 10% to 15% of the global workforce can be categorized as Disconnected—with low levels of engagement and a high likelihood to exit the organization.”

How to Implement CSR Into Your Recruitment and Retention Strategy at Your Organization
The bottom line is that organizations that have a robust CSR program and offer employees the ability to make a difference are better positioned to recruit and retain the best and brightest talent. If you are struggling to attract top talent, communicating your CSR strategy during the recruitment process ensures alignment between corporate and employee values, and produces a positive, socially conscious working environment for current employees.

Want to know where to start? Read more HERE