|
Washington, D.C., April 28th – At the opening of National Volunteer Week (Apr. 27 - May 3), Congressman Jim Moran, Virginia Democrat, introduced legislation giving federal employees the ability to use some of their annual sick leave to perform volunteer community service.
“Innovators in the private sector are on to this concept,” said Moran. “This legislation is about providing our civil service with a benefit on par with what is being offered by some of the more desirable workplaces in the U.S. It’s not only a recruitment and retention tool but a way to develop a happier, healthier and more highly skilled workforce.”
Studies have shown that volunteerism boosts morale, productivity and personal health. Volunteering also teaches communication and leadership skills that result in better-trained workers.
Moran went on to say, “It’s a win for the government because happier workers mean a better work product. It’s a win for our civil servants because volunteerism brings both emotional and career development benefits. And it’s a win for our society at-large, as we help lift up people in need through community service.”
Nationwide, one-third of large U.S. companies have formal time-off policies in support of employee volunteer involvement, according to the Business for Social Responsibility. More than 40 percent of small companies also offer a similar benefit. Unfortunately, federal employees currently receive no such benefit.
Examples of private companies offering employee leave to perform community service include: CDW, Wegmans, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota, Toro Company, Xcel Energy and Wells Fargo. Wegmans and CDW have been rated by Fortune Magazine as two of the “100 Best Companies to Work For.”
“NTEU frequently hears about the volunteer activities our members undertake from mentoring a grade school class to collecting toys for children during the holiday season to sending care packages to troops overseas,” said Colleen Kelley, President of the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU). “This legislation is an easy way for the federal government to add thousands of additional volunteer hours to provide hope and assistance to members of our communities who need a hand.”
National Volunteer Week runs from April 27th – May 3rd. This year’s theme is “Volunteer to Change the World.” This annual celebration of volunteers and the contributions they make to our communities was established by presidential executive order in 1974.
According to a 2005 survey conducted by the Center for Corporate Citizenship at Boston College and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Center for Corporate Citizenship, 81 percent of 1,189 business executives stated they believed corporate citizenship needs to be a priority for businesses.
John Gage, National President, Association of Federal Government Employees (AFGE) stated, “By allowing federal workers to use 2 days of sick leave per year for this purpose, federal employees will be able to maintain their responsibilities to their jobs, their families, and also to their communities. This sets a great example for all Americans to participate in projects to improve their communities. We hope that it will also encourage even more private sector companies to provide a similar benefit as well.”
Highlights of the Moran proposal:
Up to 2 days of annual sick leave per year are authorized for use in the performance of qualified community service.
Qualified community service is defined as service performed either for an organization participating in the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) or otherwise prescribed by OPM.
*Attached is a pdf of the legislation.
--30--
|