How Social Impact Drives Employee Engagement at UKG

At UKG , we believe that strategic social impact initiatives do more than benefit communities—they help attract, retain, and engage top talent, fostering a workplace that employees can be proud of. Research consistently shows that social impact plays a key role in attracting and retaining top talent. 

A Deloitte study found that businesses with clearly defined social impact strategies can enhance their brand image, outperform competitors, and retain high-quality employees. 

During this year’s U Krew Kickoff, thousands of U Krewers participated in volunteer events across over 40 events globally, reflecting our commitment to care, celebration, and inspiration. These efforts align with high-trust behaviors—like developing, caring, and inspiring—which strengthen employee satisfaction and engagement. 

The need for social impact has never been greater. In today’s competitive job market, 75% of Gen Z & Millennials say an organization’s societal impact is an important factor when considering employment, according to Deloitte. Plus, according to Great Place to Work, companies that make employees feel proud are six times more likely to see them endorse the workplace and two times more likely to retain them for the long term. 

UKG’s Global Volunteer Time-Off Policy is one way we build this trust, pride, and camaraderie, encouraging employees to engage in meaningful volunteerism by offering all U Krewers around the world at least two paid days off, annually, to volunteer in their communities. By taking advantage of this benefit, employees not only make a difference but also help us measure our collective impact, driving progress toward our goal of increasing volunteer hours and impact each and every year. 

Beyond our globally recognized service events like U Krew Kickoff and Global Pay it Forward Day in April, individuals and teams across UKG are making an impact in their communities every day. Our Marketing Department regularly includes hands-on volunteering in onboarding sessions in Weston and Lowell, and teams like Finance celebrate an annual day of service in both locations as well. We have the great pleasure of partnering to include volunteerism in almost all our large-scale customer and employee facing events in the past year. Just this week at Aspire, we provided an opportunity for our attendees to pack bags for returning soldiers with our partners at HeroBox. We also collaborate with all ten of our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) to provide mission-aligned nonprofits, events, and activations for ERG members around the globe. 

UKG extends its social impact beyond U.S. borders by supporting those in need around the globe. UKG India’s flagship CSR project, the UKG-ANK Learning Centre, was awarded “Best CSR Project of the Year” for its long-standing commitment to providing quality education to children in local communities. By focusing on higher retention rates and reducing dropout rates, the UKG-ANK Learning Centre ensures that children receive the support they need to transition successfully to government schools. The recent inauguration of its new campus marks a milestone in its 8-year journey, expanding opportunities for education and empowerment. Through these efforts, UKG is showcasing the importance of investing in community development and the long-term benefits of such initiatives. 

It’s an honor to be part of a company that walks the talk. UKG has been recognized with multiple awards for its commitment to social responsibility this year, including: 

• TrustRadius Tech Cares Award 

• Pinnacle Group Global CSR & ESG Award 

• Culture For Good Community Impact Award 

We can all continue working together to make a lasting impact—one hour, one cause, and one community at a time. Volunteering at work is just the beginning; it’s a force multiplier for impact! According to the Deloitte 2024 Volunteerism Survey, 90% of respondents say their participation in workplace volunteer activities led to participating in additional, independent volunteer activities, whether through the same organization or with other organizations within their communities. We’re not just building a better workplace—we’re creating a future that creates equity of opportunity for all.