Employees at professional services firms are the most generous in the country, according to data released by Australia’s workplace giving provider, Good2Give.

“Good2Give’s 2015-16 financial year audit has found that by working at a professional services firm you are three times more likely to give using your company’s workplace giving program,” CEO Lisa Grinham said.

“With almost 20 per cent of staff making regular donations to charities, this is a significant contribution to Australia’s charity sector. Their employees are also very generous, giving approximately $70 a month to charity. Topped up by company matching and their average monthly donation comes to $114 per month, or more than $1300 a year.”

Grinham said it’s incredibly helpful for companies who offer workplace giving to be able to access latest industry data to help build realistic targets and make positive business cases for workplace giving in their company.

“The property and construction industry is a strong performer with 8 per cent participation levels met by average donations of nearly $100 per month. Meanwhile the energy and water sector digs deep into their pockets with an average donation of $242 each month, equating to almost $3000 annually,” said Grinham.

“Of course there are many variables that influence a program’s success including whether a company matches employee donations, how often their programs are promoted and whether the company has leadership encouraging a giving culture.

“The data overwhelmingly suggests that matching employee donations inherently boosts employee generosity resulting in a 60 per cent increase in the average donation. Add on the company dollar, and the average monthly donation via Good2Give’s workplace giving platform is tripled to $89 across industries.”

Grinham said considering that only 57 per cent of professional service firms currently match staff donations, there is strong potential to further boost the industry’s contribution if companies met employee generosity halfway.

“We look forward to better understanding what wider industry factors play in shaping employee giving behaviour – whether that be employment security, salary levels and the impact that corporate leaders play in setting the industry standards,” she said.

“Our recent Workplace Givers Revealed research of 1,000 workplace givers revealed that 86 per cent said their company’s workplace giving program made them more proud to work there. As the link between being a good corporate citizen and employee morale hits home, these enquiries to increase uptake of workplace giving programs is incredibly worthwhile – for our communities, but also our workplace morale.

“It’s encouraging to see more and more companies introduce and invest in their workplace giving programs to boost employee pride in the good times and the bad.”

Lisa Grinham will be speaking at Third Sector’s conference and expo, which is taking place on the 18th & 19th of August. Click here for details.