Will Volunteering Affect Work Productivity?

Here’s What CSR Heads in India Need to Know – June Edition

In June, as many HR and CSR teams plan their employee engagement calendars, one common doubt pops up: “Will volunteering reduce work productivity?” Let’s answer this straight — No, it won’t. In fact, when done right, employee volunteering boosts productivity, morale, and team spirit.

Real Benefits of Volunteering for Productivity

• Stronger Team Bonding:Group volunteering helps break silos and builds relationships. A Deloitte India survey found that 87% of employees feel more connected after volunteering with peers.

• Better Mental Wellness:Volunteering is a break from screens and tasks. It’s proven to reduce stress and improve motivation — which means more focused, happier employees.

• New Skills for the Workplace:CSR programs like career mentoring, field events, or awareness campaigns build soft skills like communication, leadership, and adaptability — directly useful at work.

• Lower Attrition Rates:According to a global LinkedIn survey, companies with strong social responsibility programs see a 40% higher employee retention rate.

But What If Employees Are Busy?

That’s where planning matters. At Marpu Foundation, we focus on modular and custom volunteering models from 2-hour city cleanups to virtual skill-based tasks. This way, your teams contribute without disturbing business priorities.

How HR & CSR Teams Can Start in June

🗓️ Try short-term pilots like weekend drives or storytelling sessions

🧩 Match roles with employee interests (HRs for training, tech teams for digital literacy)

📸 Celebrate impact with internal recognition and social media features

📊 Track engagement and productivity feedback to improve

Final Word: Volunteering Is a Value Add, Not a Disruption

Done well, volunteering energizes employees. It reminds them their company stands for something meaningful. And that boost of purpose often reflects in higher performance, better collaboration, and stronger loyalty.

To make this easier, you can collaborate with an experienced organisation like Marpu Foundation that supports employee volunteering across India with custom plans, pan-India execution, and full reporting.

👉 To learn more, visit www.marpu.org