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Volunteering and gratitude: Ways to support employee mental health

Published: November 25, 2024

Group of volunteers packing water bottles into boxes

Stress and anxiety-related health issues have risen in recent years — 80% of U.S. employees say workplace stress affects their mental health.1 Workers who are remote, hybrid, or returning to the office may feel disconnected from their teammates, taking a toll on workplace culture. Incorporating volunteerism and gratitude into your organization can lead to improved mental health for your employees. Fostering a more satisfied and engaged workforce helps reduce health care costs and attract top talent.

 

Poor mental health at work can result in reduced engagement, increased absenteeism, and high staff turnover rates.2 When employees are mentally healthy, they tend to be more motivated and committed to their work. By providing volunteer opportunities and sharing gratitude, employers can help improve both employee well-being and organizational performance. One study showed that employees who volunteer through work are 43% more satisfied with their jobs than employees who don’t volunteer.3

Volunteering can boost happiness, self-esteem, and sense of purpose while lowering stress, depression, and loneliness

How volunteering and gratitude improve mental health

Volunteering

Volunteering, particularly when it’s focused on helping other people, has been shown to boost mental and physical health. For example, it can:4

  • Improve life satisfaction
  • Heighten self-esteem
  • Lower levels of depression
  • Reduce loneliness by building social connections

Social connections are vital for mental health, as they help mitigate anxiety and lessen the risk of chronic illnesses.5

 

“There are so many benefits of volunteering,” says Samantha Berovic, a licensed clinical social worker at Kaiser Permanente. “It can help reduce stress, increase happiness, and help someone find purpose. If you do it as a group — really connecting together and working as a team — it makes a huge impact bonding your team.”

Volunteering can boost happiness, self-esteem, and sense of purpose while lowering stress, depression, and loneliness
Person smiling during a team meeting

Gratitude

Showing gratitude daily has been linked to several health benefits:

  • Enhanced mood
  • Better sleep
  • Fewer symptoms of depression
  • Reduced stress

This combination of improved emotional health and lower stress can lead to better cardiac functioning and overall physical health.6

Person smiling during a team meeting

The value of building a positive work culture

Cultivating a workplace that promotes community engagement and gratitude can be a cost-effective way to prioritize mental health and contribute to a more positive, collaborative, and efficient work environment.

 

Expressing gratitude can make employees more likely to volunteer for assignments, go the extra mile, and enjoy working as part of a team.7

 

Offering volunteer opportunities can help your business improve workplace morale, recruit new talent, and build goodwill within the community. Employees who feel valued and emotionally secure are more likely to remain committed to their roles, reducing turnover.
 

Employees who volunteer are 43% more satisfied with their jobs than those who don’t
71% of employees say workplace volunteer programs enhance the company’s image

Companies that support volunteerism may enjoy a stronger reputation — 71% of employees say workplace volunteer programs enhance the company’s image.8 Potential job applicants may be drawn to companies with employee volunteer opportunities, viewing these organizations as places where values align and employees are treated well.

Group of volunteers listening and taking notes
Group of volunteers listening and taking notes

Volunteering fosters desirable skills 

Volunteering gives employees another way to develop skills that enrich their personal and professional lives. Volunteering promotes communication, problem-solving, and leadership abilities, enhancing self-confidence and job performance — skills that are highly valued by employees and employers. In fact, 64% of employees believe volunteering positively impacts their professional growth by offering new challenges.8

 

Participating in volunteer work makes employees twice as likely to recommend their organization to job seekers. With 66% of employees saying they developed new skills through volunteering, these initiatives benefit both employees seeking experience and employers aiming to build a more competent workforce.8

Employees gain personal fulfillment from volunteering and gratitude

Volunteering generates empathy, helping employees shift their focus away from personal challenges to the cause at hand. Employees can also get to know their co-workers better and meet other people from the community.

 

Sharing gratitude at work encourages employees to focus on the good and appreciate each other’s contributions. When their efforts are acknowledged, employees experience a greater sense of accomplishment in their roles.

73% of employees say volunteering improves teamwork and camaraderie
Two happy employees bumping elbows in celebration

“Volunteering really grounds you in that moment,” Berovic says. “We get so caught up in the fast-paced world that we’re living in. When I help other people, it makes me feel grateful. I feel privileged to be able to provide that support for people.”

 

Workers who volunteer feel more connected and fulfilled — 73% of employees cite improved teamwork and camaraderie, and 71% report a greater sense of personal fulfillment.8

“Volunteering has made a big difference in our work culture. Being able to give back to our community brought this sense of positivity and connection — this sense of belonging.”

Samantha Berovic, a licensed clinical social worker at Kaiser Permanente

Volunteer adults sharing apples with children

How to build volunteering and gratitude into your work culture

There are some simple but effective measures your organization can take to harness the power of volunteerism and gratitude to enhance mental health at work.

Volunteering

Take employee interests into account. Survey employees to gauge their interests and skills, then select options that match their preferences. This increases enthusiasm and makes volunteering more meaningful. Avoid “mandatory volunteering” — employees should feel empowered to choose whether and how they want to participate.

 

Make it authentic. Opportunities that align with the company’s mission or focus on recent community events can positively impact the workplace. Executives who lead by example and participate in volunteer experiences lend authenticity and set the tone for the organization.

 

Offer a paid time off for volunteering policy. Employers may want to implement Volunteer Time Off (VTO) policies — paid time off specifically for volunteering. If a formal VTO policy isn’t feasible, companies can organize dedicated volunteer days or offer quarterly volunteer hours.

 

Track and share the impact. Data such as the total number of volunteer hours contributed demonstrates results and boosts employee pride in your organization’s efforts. Publicly honor your volunteer champions to highlight the impact of their service and encourage others to get involved.

Volunteer adults sharing apples with children
Smiling employees walking through the office
Smiling employees walking through the office

Gratitude

Employers should encourage managers to show appreciation regularly.

 

Normalize showing gratitude. Simple acts like notes of gratitude or expressing thanks during meetings can go a long way in fostering a culture of appreciation. Expressions of gratitude should be authentic so they feel sincere and worthwhile to employees. Besides acknowledging co-workers, employees can speak about their own professional and personal achievements.

 

Share gratitude in different ways. Offer several ways for employees to voice and receive appreciation, including public praise, one-on-one conversations, and written thanks. For example, Berovic has built this into her team’s culture by having everyone share appreciations during team meetings.

Volunteering and gratitude help your team — and your community

Incorporating volunteer opportunities and sharing gratitude in the workplace creates a win-win scenario — nonprofits gain support, employees improve their mental health and skills, and companies benefit from a more engaged and productive workforce. These initiatives create a positive work culture, ultimately strengthening the organization.

Mental Fitness Guide

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Samantha Berovic

About our expert

Samantha Berovic, Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Samantha Berovic is the resident associate clinical manager for Kaiser Permanente’s Northwest region. She created a program that supervises residents who are working toward earning their clinical licenses. Previously she worked as a virtual mental health therapist. Berovic has been a lifelong volunteer in her community and spent 4 months at an orphanage in Nicaragua. She recently began organizing volunteer opportunities for her team at Kaiser Permanente.

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