It’s referred to as volunteering skills. The concept: a company freely lends their employees to another for a predetermined amount of time. Interest is evident for the beneficiary company, but what about the lender?
What’s in it for them? Let’s zoom in on the advantages of this initiative.
First off, in addition to the altruistic aspect of this concept, the company can develop its employees’ skills. Organizations that turn to volunteer skills generally do so because they have an urgent issue to resolve. By authorizing employees to go assist them, you are letting them discover another activity and another way of working. It is also a way to sharpen their ability for resolving complicated situations… an ability from which they can then benefit.
Secondly, you are helping another organization, often an NGO or other type of association, to become more efficient. If it’s a company for which you work regularly, your helping hand will be a future benefit to the relationship. Look at it as a long-term investment: by supporting them today, you will be more productive together in the future.
Lastly, the advantage in terms of communication is not insignificant, since such an initiative can only have a positive impact on your image as a company and above all as an employer.
Precautions to take
Caution: this is not about doing whatever you want. For example, be sure to remain in contact with the beneficiary organization during the entire project, since communication is key to success. Also avoid putting yourself in an urgent situation. Time for adapting will inevitably be necessary, both for the borrowed employee and for the company which they are assisting. It is not a question of entrusting employees to an ultra-specialized company in a sector for which they know nothing, since they risk being even more lost than the company that needs their help!