Survey reveals a ‘disconnect’ with employees.

 

Complete Office Supplies has put the spotlight on charitable contributions by corporate Australia by urging employees to be more engaged with their employers’ philanthropic activities.

 

In a recent survey of more than 1000 workers commissioned by COS, it was revealed that employees whose company donated to charity said that they believe all companies should give back (46 per cent) and that they like working for a company that supports the community (35 per cent). 

 

Nearly a two-thirds of the respondents whose workplace does not donate to charity said they wish their organisation did.

 

When it comes to businesses doing their part to give back to the community, new data has revealed that 54 per cent of workers say their company donates to charity, yet almost half (42 per cent) of employees don’t know which cause the money actually supports. 

 

Delving deeper into the research, it’s evident that there is a disconnect between a business donating money, and which cause or charity the money is being donated to.  Two-thirds of Australians said they would like to be part of the decision on where the funds go.

 

Co-CEO of COS, Amie Lyone (pictured with co-CEO Belinda) said, “It’s encouraging to see so many Australian companies are donating to charities, but what is apparent is that many businesses aren’t connecting the dots when it comes to involving employees in their philanthropic efforts.

 

“At COS giving back has been a priority since the company was created, with the business donating more than $16 million through the Lyone Foundation to support Australian charities to date. It was of great importance to our founder and chairman Dominique Lyone that staff played a part in giving, and it’s part of our DNA as a result,” she said.

 

Footnote: In addition to its own charitable initiatives, Complete Office Supplies has been a regular contributor to the fund-raising efforts of the Australian Office Products Charitable Fund, a not-for-profit volunteer group that supports children’s charities.