Clients often ask us: “how do we create and maintain a positive organisational culture?”
In the 13 years we’ve been operating, the answer hasn’t been identical for any two clients - no two businesses are ever the same. But the one theme that’s common to the otherwise bespoke solutions we’ve delivered has been to define, communicate, and live your values.
‘Giving Back’ as a Core Value
People are far more likely to feel engaged when there’s purpose to their work - and that can be both in the role itself and in the products & solutions your organisation delivers. There’s one more way to add purpose to the employee experience: your organisation’s work can often be an opportunity to regularly give back to your local community, or even to global projects, positively improving the lives of fellow humans all over the world.
If you’re open to taking this view of your organisation, then you should consider enshrining ‘Giving Back’ as a core value. Remember, however you choose to word and define it in your ‘Core Values’ charter, it’s important to communicate it to everyone when they join, at major touchpoints throughout the year, and most importantly, for you to lead by example, by living this core value.
Where To Start With ‘Giving Back’?
In practice, ‘Giving Back’ takes two general forms. One form is to perpetually donate a small percentage of revenue to a charity/cause that you support and that aligns with your values. For example, if you’re a baker, 5% from every loaf of bread sold, or if you’re running a subscription model, 25% of the first invoice when someone signs for 12 months. The other form is more event/project based: occasionally hosting fundraisers, sponsoring local sports/social clubs, and for larger operations, investing in a more formal Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program - taking responsibility for the economic, social and environmental impacts of your work through various projects.
The Benefits of ‘Giving Back’
Whichever of these forms you choose, the benefits of 'Giving Back' are four-fold - at least.
'Giving Back’ ...
- first and foremost, and most importantly, does good in the world. Whether it’s protecting the natural environment, helping treat or fund research into an illness, helping people in war-torn or developing parts of the world, or even local community projects, 'Giving Back' is a benefit and an end in itself.
- adds purpose to your employee experience. Your people are at their best when they are engaged - when they care about their work, are good at it, and when they care about your organisation’s goals too. Living the core value of ‘Giving Back’ - knowing that their work will also help fund good in the world - adds an engagement boost.
- adds a personal, positive tone to your organisation’s positioning, through genuine means. Rather than your marketing collateral being services, product features, spec sheets and price lists, ‘Giving Back’ is an opportunity to share with your prospects and clients the fact that you’re living, breathing, caring people, out there doing good in the world.
- is infectious, like a smile. People are social beings. We innately understand the good in doing good, in giving back, and seeing you lead by example in your own company, you’ll be planting the seed for others to do the same - to adopt and live this laudable core value in their organisation.
Case Study:
Employee Matters
We’re going to use ourselves as the case study for this blog, because we practise what we preach, and at Employee Matters, we are definitely passionate about giving back!
We are lifetime members of B1G1, a program that helps businesses around the world create tangible, real impacts in our world every single day. Check out the adjacent panel for a summary of our impacts to date!
Another way for us to give back was during Christmas, when we gave our team time off to volunteer locally and support charities close to their hearts. Below, we look at how two of our employees chose to use that time:
![Workplace Culture](https://www.employeematters.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Maaike-and-Audrey.jpg)
Meet Our Perth Team: Audrey and Maaike
Our Perth team is currently made up of two highly experienced HR & Recruitment experts in Audrey Cathcart and Maaike Coates:
Audrey and Maaike Giving Back
Audrey and Maaike chose to use the time off they were given to work with the Perth Homeless Support Group, volunteering with their outreach program for essential food & supply giving to the local community.
They have helped expand the project to their local school where children have prepared lolly bags.
![Team Member EMP](https://www.employeematters.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/maaike-audrey-charity-work2.jpg)
![Workshop EMP](https://www.employeematters.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/maaike-audrey-charity-work3c.jpg)
![Team member](https://www.employeematters.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/maaike-audrey-charity-work1c.jpg)
Conclusion
No two organisations are the same, but if you employ people, you’re going to have one common challenge, and one common opportunity. The challenge for every employer is hiring and keeping an engaged workforce, and no matter the nature or size of your organisation, one of the simplest, most overlooked opportunities is to add ‘Giving Back’ to your core values, and to live those values. You can do good in the world, engage your employees in contributing to that purpose, add warmth and character to your company story, and encourage others to do good in the world too. It’s a win-win-win-win for everyone.
Actions You Can Take
The Perth Homeless Support Group
The Perth Homeless Support Group helps those experiencing, or who are at risk of homelessness, by providing basic needs and educating them about available services. Support them (donate or volunteer) here:
HR & Recruitment Services in Perth
If you’re a Perth-based organisation and want experienced, local support, Maaike and Audrey are here to help. Please contact us to book a free call to discuss your HR and/or Recruitment needs:
Book a Call
Alternatively, you can email us on 02 8021 4206 or email info@employeematters.com.au
Workplace Culture & Values Assistance
Learn more about our Recruitment and HR services, including workplace culture analysis and workshops here:
Recruitment Services HR Services
B1G1: Business For Good
Learn more about B1G1, a global business-giving movement on a mission to create a world full of giving: