Out of the Office & Into the Community

For the second consecutive year, Rümi has been honored as one of Alberta's Top 75 Employers! We're thrilled to receive this recognition and would love to share one of the things that makes us proud to be part of the Rümi family: our commitment to the communities we serve. Year after year, we've witnessed firsthand how a balanced lifestyle can make a significant difference. Achieving this balance isn't a solo endeavor—it takes a collective effort from every aspect of your daily and professional life. It requires organizations to step up and cultivate a welcoming, inclusive, and meaningful work environment that people genuinely enjoy being a part of. If the thought of enjoying your job seems far-fetched, perhaps it's time to reflect on whether your current workplace is missing some key elements that could boost employee satisfaction, retention, and engagement.

There are countless reasons why your company should set aside time for employees to engage with the community. These initiatives benefit both you and the organization! Here are five compelling reasons why embracing and supporting community involvement is a win-win for everyone:

Opportunities for Personal Growth

Volunteering often requires skills and experiences you might not encounter regularly in your day-to-day work. By dedicating some time to volunteering, you could develop leadership skills, uncover hidden talents, or even find your next career move within your organization. This invaluable insight can help you make smarter career decisions and become the standout employee you’ve always aspired to be!

Boosting Engagement

Spending time with your colleagues outside the usual office setting can strengthen bonds and improve productivity. When you volunteer together, you naturally interact more, building trust and genuine connections beyond the usual office dynamics. This fosters better communication and camaraderie, creating a more enjoyable and supportive work environment. Who knows—you might even form a new friendship or two while you're at it! Returning to the office with renewed energy and shared experiences can inspire creativity and resilience during challenging times.

Aligning Values

You chose your job because its values resonated with your own. Research consistently shows that alignment between personal and organizational values is crucial for employee satisfaction. When a company actively promotes community involvement that reflects its core values, it reinforces those values across the workforce. This sets the stage for our next point—read on, it’s a good one!

Attracting and Retaining Top Talent

People want to work for ethical, balanced, and socially responsible companies. If your organization lacks a community investment program, it risks losing out on attracting top talent. High turnover is costly for employers and stressful for employees. Encourage your employer to implement a community investment initiative—it’s a smart move that benefits everyone. A strong community program can significantly enhance employee loyalty and satisfaction.

Improving Performance and Bonuses

Engaged employees who feel valued and supported tend to perform better and achieve greater success. Community involvement fosters growth opportunities, aligns values, and creates meaningful work experiences—all of which contribute to higher employee well-being and productivity. When the company thrives, so do you! This virtuous cycle ensures that everyone benefits when you invest in your community.

If speaking with leadership about starting or expanding a community investment program isn’t feasible, consider seeking opportunities elsewhere. Rümi is a prime example of a company that excels in both categories. For the second year running, we’ve been recognized as one of Alberta’s Top 75 Employers, largely due to the happiness and fulfillment our teams derive from their work. Being able to give back throughout the year fills us with purpose and passion. In fact, a very content Rümineer wrote this blog post while reminiscing about all the incredible, community-focused experiences they’ve enjoyed since joining our team!