As employees increasingly seek more from their employers, organizations are being challenged to tie their values to meaningful action. This includes making a positive impact not only on employees and customers, but also on local communities.
Offering volunteer time off (VTO) and similar programs allows organizations to demonstrate their values tangibly while boosting morale, productivity and retention. One survey found that more than 90% of employees who believe their company makes a strong positive impact on society plan to stay with their employer.
Why VTO matters
Volunteer time off isn’t just about doing good — it is a beneficial investment for businesses. Studies show that offering VTO increases a company’s employee engagement and productivity levels by over 7% and 13%, respectively. Employees who engage in volunteer activities report feeling more connected to their employer’s mission, more engaged with their work, and less likely to experience burnout.
Workplaces that prioritize charitable giving and volunteering also foster stronger team dynamics. Employees who volunteer together report improved collaboration and morale, creating a ripple effect that drives productivity. This team dynamic becomes even more crucial in remote work environments.
“By integrating behavioral health strategies with initiatives like VTO, companies can build a workplace where their employees thrive — and the organization gains a competitive edge in hiring and retaining talent.”
Carlos Lindo – SVP, Legal & Compliance and Chair, Impact & Responsibility Council
Lucet’s commitment to impact
At Lucet, we’ve made corporate impact a cornerstone of our company culture. Our Impact & Responsibility Council guides efforts to make a difference for our members, employees and the communities we serve while strengthening our internal connections. To increase our VTO utilization, we built and connected our employee volunteers through a centralized calendar and established Lucet sponsorships for larger VTO events in locations with a higher Lucet population.
In 2024, our team came together for a variety of impactful VTO events:
- Make Food Not Waste (Detroit): Food distribution to residents in need
- Friends of Foster Kids (Detroit): Charity baseball night at a Detroit Tigers game, then holiday gift wrapping for foster children.
- Harvesters Community Network (Kansas City): Gathered food for those in need.
- Heartland Tree Alliance (Kansas City): Planted trees and beautified community outdoor spaces.
- Caring for Friends (Philadelphia): Prepared meals for seniors and other individuals facing food insecurity.
Other VTO efforts where our team lent personal time included the Gleaners Food Pantry, Arts & Scraps (organizing art supplies donated to low-income schools), and Focus Hope.
In addition to supporting employees’ VTO, Lucet gave generously this year to organizations and causes that are making a difference in individuals’ lives, including:
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): Provided training for 36 facilitators for counseling for youth groups.
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: Held 40 sessions for educators and provided educational materials for 300+ people.
- Autism on the Seas: Sponsored two families with ASD members on a sensory inclusive cruise.
- Shatterproof – Stronger Than Addiction: Held educational training sessions for recognizing and treating addiction in the workplace.
The business case for VTO
For employers, the benefits of VTO programs extend beyond community impact. By offering employees opportunities to give back, organizations attract top talent and foster loyalty. Employees want to feel that their work contributes to a greater good, and VTO offers a direct pathway for them to connect their professional lives with personal values. By integrating behavioral health strategies with initiatives like VTO, companies can build a workplace where their employees thrive — and the organization gains a competitive edge in hiring and retaining talent.
Lucet can help organizations create benefits that enhance mental health, reduce stress and promote a culture of care. If you’re ready to design benefits that support your workforce and amplify your organization’s impact, contact us today. Together, we can make a difference — for your employees and your community.
Carlos Lindo is senior vice president of legal and compliance and chair of the Impact & Responsibility Council at Lucet.
