From Mountain View to Dubai, Warsaw to Johannesburg, Lindon to Pune, Symantec employees around the globe came together last week to volunteer more than 4,000 hours during Symantec’s first annual Global Service Week. Global Service Week is one of the many ways we empower employees to help us meet our goal of reaching an average of four volunteer hours per employee by the year 2020.
As part of Global Service Week, community relations committees at sites across our global network planned and organized nearly 70 events at 21 Symantec and Blue Coat sites and many departments organized their own teambuilding volunteer projects.
As you can see, the impact has been tremendous. Whether out in the community or volunteering virtually at their desks, teams, business units and employees came together to feed the hungry; prepare students for professional interviews; beautify neighborhood parks, beaches, and schools; teach children and senior citizens how to stay safe online; plant trees; walk rescue dogs; donate blood, and so much more.
Individuals also volunteered on their own, or with family and friends, to benefit the causes most important to them.
Additionally, for every hour volunteers spent, money was donated to non-profits through Symantec’s Dollars for Doers program (providing a cash grant of $15 USD for every hour of volunteer service up to $1,000 per year).
Global Service Week provided opportunities for employees to connect with new organizations and explore various ways to give back yearround. Whether in person or virtually, as a team or individually, Symantec offers numerous ways for employees to carry out Symantec’s mission of making the world a better place; for example, through Dollars for Doers, Matching Grants, Nonprofit Board Service programs, as well as our newly launched Symantec Service Time (SST), introduced in July. Through SST every Symantec employee is given five full working days—with pay—to volunteer, or to serve on a community relations committee, Employee Resource Group (ERG), or Green Team. SST hours are also eligible for Symantec’s Dollars for Doers grants.
Coming together as one company to volunteer benefits our communities, our employees and our company. Employees who volunteer report improved time management, team building, networking, and professional skills. They feel better— physically, mentally and emotionally—manage their stress better, and feel a stronger connection to their communities and their employer.
“Global Service Week was a fantastic opportunity for employees around the world to come together with old friends and new, at a time when Symantec and Blue Coat are coming together as one company,” said Cecily Joseph, VP Corporate Responsibility.
“Symantec is committed to empowering employees to volunteer and we hope that this is just the beginning.”
Volunteers in Cape Town, South Africa supported Clean C during Global Service Week 2016.
Students received health kits and presentation from Symantec employees in Chennai, India.
Mountain View, CA employees spent a day buidling and decortating playhouses for Habitat for Humanity Silicon Valley.
Employees in Reading, UK help to clear Beale Park for future visitors.