ReEmployAbility hosted, “Return to Work by Volunteering from Home: From COVID and Beyond” January 28th to discuss how a light duty assignment from home can be safe and have accountability.
The webinar was moderated by Todd Loomis, National Sales Manager with ReEmployAbility. Panelists included Haley Quinzi, Senior Service Specialist with ReEmployAbility, and Alison Tibbits, Vice-President of Volunteer Programs and Strategies with the nonprofit Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).
The Muscular Dystrophy Association’s mission is to transform the lives of people living with neuromuscular diseases. Alison Tibbits has partnered with ReEmployAbility to provide work-from-home volunteer opportunities.
The panelists discussed ReEmployAbility’s unique approach to return-to-work from home and the program’s growing importance due to current business trends from the impact of COVID-19. Through Transition2Work, ReEmployAbility has been providing remote opportunities for three years and has expanded the program since the beginning of COVID-19 due to demand. ReEmployAbility’s work from home program has been extremely successful because of the key components of the program, including working with each nonprofit in the program to ensure the work is meaningful and makes an impact for the injured worker and for the nonprofit organization.
“It’s super important to us to work with a partner like ReEmployAbility that takes the time to understand our mission and ultimately helps to coach and onboard these individuals so that they become a part of the fabric of our organization,” said Tibbits.
Other Key highlights Included:
- Research indicates 67% of companies expect working from home to become a permanent or long-lasting fixture
- Once COVID started, research showed productivity increased as well as morale for those working at home, up to 13% greater productivity and 50% less attrition when people are working from home
- Work from home participants can often help with a nonprofits special projects to move them forward while managing COVID
The panelists discussed the requirements and skills needed for an injured worker to work from home, as well as the variety of opportunities available through a wide spectrum of nonprofit organizations. They also discussed various methods to track productivity.
“I think this whole idea of volunteering virtually, just like working virtually, is here to stay, because if we’re being honest with ourselves, we have to create an environment that is appealing to our volunteers, we have to meet them where they’re at,” said Tibbits.
MDA has had great success with the work from home program helping with their current fundraiser. The quality and dedication of the participants has helped them accomplish their goals even during COVID.
“What is really important for everyone to know is that just because they’re a non-profit doesn’t mean that they’re not as affected by the loss of volunteers, by the loss of staff,” said Quinzi. “They are also having to get creative and figure out a way to get the same amount of work done or engage people in a different manner.”
The panel hopes the audience enjoyed the discussion and got some helpful information on how to begin or continue a work from home program for injured workers. If you were unable to join us for this discussion, email Todd Loomis at Todd@ReEmployAbility.com for the access link and password.
