Helping Hands: Making time for giving back
Beacon Health System is now offering associates paid time off to volunteer for area not-for-profits as part of the Beacon Helping Hands initiative. Full-time associates may be compensated for up to four hours of paid volunteer time per year and part-time associates may be compensated for up to two hours.
“Our associates are exceptionally dedicated and caring in their roles at Beacon, and they are also incredibly active and giving throughout their own communities, too,” said Steve Eller, chief human resources officer, Beacon Health System. “Beacon Helping Hands is a framework for supporting our associates’ volunteer passions and interests outside of our walls, promoting a healthier quality of life in all respects.”
Beacon’s initiative follows a positive nationwide trend of compensating employees for spending time volunteering.
About 24 percent of U.S. employers reported offering paid time off for volunteer activities, according to the Society for Human Resources Management’s 2018 Employee Benefits Report.
“We wanted to provide the option for associates to volunteer during work hours, adding some flexibility for those who might not be able to do so otherwise with busy work, family and home schedules,” Eller said.
Beacon has teamed up with Acts of Service, developed by Elkhart-based Lippert Components, Inc., to match associates with 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization volunteer opportunities. The ActsOfService.com web platform allows individuals to browse opportunities and track volunteer hours for both paid volunteer time and personal volunteering.
“The Acts of Service website is an incredible tool to capture the valuable time our associates donate to nonprofit organizations,” said Patty Willaert, executive director of Beacon Community Impact.
About Acts of Service
Acts of Service is a web-based, social movement platform that makes it easier for companies, their employees and individual community members to give back by connecting with local nonprofits. Lippert Components, Inc., created this free platform as part of its commitment to giving back to the communities that have allowed it to thrive. Log on to www.ActsofService.com to find a volunteer opportunity with a local nonprofit that fits your passion and your schedule. Simply click on the calendar and make a difference.
