KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — UT Federal Credit Union has introduced a policy giving its more than 100 employees unlimited paid time during regularly scheduled work hours to volunteer with community organizations.
The program, called “Mission in Motion,” took effect Aug. 1 and is designed to expand the credit union’s existing community service efforts, UTFCU said.
Unlike employee volunteer programs that provide a set number of paid hours annually, Mission in Motion does not cap the amount of paid volunteer time employees can use, provided they coordinate their volunteer activities with their regular job responsibilities.
The $554-million UTFCU, which was originally chartered to serve the University of Tennessee, said it believes it is the first credit union in Tennessee to offer employees unlimited paid volunteer time.
Removing a Barrier
“We wanted to create a benefit that removes one of the barriers to volunteering: having to choose between serving your community and using limited paid time,” said Hanna Gomez, chief marketing officer and executive sponsor of UTFCU’s Kindness Committee.
Gomez said the program allows employees to select causes that are important to them and volunteer in ways that fit their schedules.
Employees can volunteer independently with organizations they support, participate in activities arranged through the credit union’s Kindness Committee or coordinate volunteer days with their departments.
Hours to be Tracked Via Payroll
UTFCU will track volunteer hours through its payroll system to measure employee participation and the program’s community impact.
Mission in Motion builds on volunteer work already coordinated by the credit union’s Kindness Committee, the credit union said. Earlier this month, 12 UTFCU employees participated in a cleanup along Liberty Street from Sutherland Avenue to Middlebrook Pike through a new relationship with Keep Knoxville Beautiful.
Other volunteer activities organized by the credit union have included food pantry service, first responder appreciation programs, veterans events, litter cleanups and Habitat for Humanity projects.
Reflection of Philosophy
UTFCU said the expanded volunteer program reflects the credit union movement’s people helping people philosophy and its broader mission of improving members’ and communities’ lives financially and beyond.
“We trust our employees to know where their time and talents can make the greatest difference,” Chief Human Resources Officer Joy Wilson said. “That’s the kind of investment we want to make in our employees and the communities we’re privileged to serve.”
