In today’s fast-moving, burnout-prone work culture, employers are seeking new ways to unlock employee engagement, resilience, and well-being. What if one of the most powerful levers wasn’t a new app, benefit, or leadership workshop – but something as simple as generosity?

One deeply powerful, yet often overlooked, driver of population well-being is prosociality, the beliefs and behaviors that prioritize caring for and benefiting others. Prosociality includes acts of empathy, cooperation, compassion, and generosity.

A clear example of prosocial behavior at work is employee volunteerism. Employee volunteer programs are more than good culture-building, they can drive workplace performance. When employees engage in prosocial activities, both inside and outside of work, they experience higher engagement, better mental health, and stronger connections with colleagues. All of this can lead to a healthier, more productive, and more resilient workforce.

To better understand the dynamics of prosocial behavior and its influence on the workforce, The Cigna Group evaluated volunteerism and well-being among the working population using the Evernorth Vitality Index – a validated measure of eight dimensions of health that are linked to overall vitality.

Here are the key findings.

1. Working volunteers live with greater vitality

Our vitality research found that employees who volunteer have an average vitality score that is 9 points higher than non-volunteers (76.3 vs. 67.3 on a scale of 100) and almost 6 points higher than all working U.S. adults (70.7).

“By helping other people, we are ultimately helping ourselves,” said Dr. Richard M. Ryan, a psychologist and the world’s foremost authority on vitality. “Volunteerism gives employees a choice, a chance to make a real impact on the community, and a sense of connection. These are key elements that help boost vitality.”

Dr. Ryan referred to the Self-Determination Theory, an anchor of the Evernorth Vitality Index, which states that people thrive when their psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness are met. Volunteerism fulfills these needs: it is chosen freely (autonomy), it makes people feel effective (competence), and it builds social bonds (relatedness).

"Volunteerism gives employees a choice, a chance to make a real impact, and a sense of connection."Dr. Richard M. Ryan, psychologist and world authority on vitality.

2. Workers who volunteer report better physical and mental health

The vitality research also found that workers who volunteer are more likely to say they are in very good or excellent physical and mental health than workers who are not volunteers (66% vs. 46% and 67% vs. 51%, respectively).

3. Employees who volunteer report a clear sense of purpose

Employees who volunteer are also much more likely than non-volunteers to say they have a clear sense of purpose and feel confident they can do meaningful things with their lives.

The employer opportunity

The personal benefits of volunteerism can extend to businesses that integrate volunteer activities into their company culture.

“Employees who find purpose in their work tend to be more engaged, productive, and loyal, which is crucial for any company’s success,” said Melissa Skottegaard, senior vice president of community programs and communications at The Cigna Group. She noted that this is especially true for Gen Z workers, who seek meaningful roles that allow them to make a positive impact on society. In fact, the vitality research found that Gen Zers are significantly more likely than older people to participate in volunteer projects and to volunteer at least once a month.

“By offering opportunities for volunteer and other purpose-driven activities, businesses of all sizes can cultivate a sense of belonging and a more dedicated, productive, and vital workforce today, while attracting the future generation of employees tomorrow,” Skottegaard said.

Activate your workforce through community volunteering

As public health increasingly turns towards protective health factors, prosocial behaviors like volunteerism deserve greater attention – not just as a social good, but as a business strategy.

Employers who are looking to increase workforce engagement and attract new talent can partner with local nonprofit and community organizations to establish meaningful volunteer programs and activations for employees. Many companies have seen success with volunteer programs that encourage colleagues to participate together to clean up local parks, pack meals for the underserved, assist in supportive housing projects, build “free libraries” to be placed in local neighborhoods, design personalized cards for those living in nursing homes, plant community gardens, among many others.

By fostering a culture of togetherness, giving back and community engagement, businesses can not only enhance worker well-being and productivity but also contribute to a stronger, more connected society.