Blog authored by Tanya Axenson, Global Head of Human Resources, Allegis Group
Millennials, Gen Zs, and workers of all ages are seeing a world of social challenges and human needs that cannot be ignored. Increasingly, they are looking at employers as more than a source of income and rather as an agent for change, both in their lives and in the communities around them. So, when looking to step up their presence in the community, companies are compelled by the expectations of workers to do something.
When it comes to volunteering and community service, however, doing something and having a lasting impact are two different things, and that’s the challenge many companies face. The real need is to drive a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy that creates a lasting commitment and deep relationships in the community, and fosters participation across the employee population.
Allegis Group and its network of specialized companies have addressed the CSR challenge by building a program that reflects the experience and voice of our employees, and aligns with our business mission of connecting great talent with great opportunities. Our CSR mission is built on three pillars of value:
Every successful cause needs a compelling reason for support. A company should wisely and selectively commit its resources – both monetary donations and employee volunteer time – to a cause that aligns with its mission as an organization. This strategy increases the likelihood that employees will embrace the cause and truly offer their support and energies. In the case of Allegis Group and its companies, our choices reflect our talent-first focus.
We have been a long-time supporter of Junior Achievement (JA), an organization that focuses on educating young people with the fundamental skills to succeed in the workforce. Likewise, Habitat for Humanity has provided us with the opportunity to engage our employees in building homes in the community, offering hope to people who may otherwise have no adequate a place to live. Aerotek, an Allegis Group company, is also a primary sponsor for HabiCorps in Baltimore, Maryland’s Chesapeake region. The Habitat for Humanity program teaches individuals the skilled trades needed to construct a home and gain meaningful, long-term employment. Another group we support at the Allegis Group level is APAFHDEM, a group based in Cancun, Mexico that promotes the development of adults with intellectual disabilities to become productive through workshops, employment, and relationship building.
These are just a few examples of the causes we support that directly impact the world in which we live and work. Our employees are proud to be part of a longstanding and consistent CSR program that creates opportunity for the people who need it most, and it’s a commitment that helps make us an employer of choice among Millennials, Gen Zs, and talent of all ages.