New Study: Israeli Employees Seek More Than Salary, Value Community Involvement
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
A new study of 500 Israeli employees shows 88% would volunteer during work hours if offered, but only 16% of companies provide regular opportunities. Eighty-seven percent want employers to encourage paid volunteering, and 80% feel more connected to companies involved in community service. The findings suggest integrating volunteering can boost employee engagement and organizational attractiveness.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- 88% of Israeli employees would likely volunteer during work hours if their employer offered the opportunity.
- Only 16% of employees work for organizations that regularly offer volunteer activities.
- 87% of employees believe employers should encourage paid volunteering for the community.
- 80% of employees feel more connected to workplaces committed to community contribution.
- 74% of employees would prefer working for a company that allows volunteer participation.
A recent study conducted among 500 salaried employees in Israel reveals that a significant majority of workers desire greater involvement in community service through their workplaces. The research, presented at the Great Place to Work 2026 annual conference, found that 88% of employees would likely participate in volunteer activities during work hours if offered by their employer, with 47% expressing strong likelihood. However, only 16% currently work for organizations that regularly offer such opportunities, and an additional 20% experience them only on specific occasions. A substantial 39% reported that their employers offer no such volunteer activities.
The study highlights a strong employee expectation for social responsibility to be integrated into organizational activities. Eighty-seven percent of respondents believe employers should encourage volunteering during paid work hours, with 46% strongly agreeing. Furthermore, 80% feel more connected to their workplace when it is committed to community contribution, and 74% would prefer an employer that facilitates volunteer participation.
The findings, based on a model developed by Ruach Tova in collaboration with Deloitte to measure the organizational benefits of employee volunteering, indicate that these activities are viewed by employees not just as social initiatives but as integral to organizational culture and a sense of belonging. Ruach Tova, an organization promoting volunteering in Israel, suggests that companies integrating employee volunteering into their culture will benefit from increased employee engagement and a stronger employer brand, alongside social impact.