Employee Engagement
Waggener Edstrom is committed to giving one percent of its gross fee revenue to causes that positively impact our world. As part of this commitment every employee is eligible to take up to sixteen hours a year to volunteer with an organization of their choice to improve the communities where they live and work.
The agency sponsors WE Make a Difference Days (WMDD), prearranged volunteer events in each of our offices. During these events employees are entitled to take time away from their workday to spend with colleagues or families, whilst using part of their Community Service hours.
“Employee and community feedback continues to reveal utmost appreciation of WE’s giving to social causes, especially considering the current global economy. I’m extremely PROUD to represent an agency whose commitment to making a difference has always been/remains strong.” Marianne Alison, Executive Vice President, Waggener Edstrom Worldwide’s Making a Difference Strategic Goal Champion
Example: Waggener Edstrom Worldwide – London
In July 2010, seven employees from Waggener Edstrom Worldwide London participated in Give and Gain Day, the “UK’s largest day of action for employee volunteers,” according to event manager Business in the Community, which gathers volunteers to devote their skills and talents to their communities during work hours. Seven employees put on their sportswear for the day to help underprivileged children gain access to (and an interest in) different types of sport. After first getting the adult teams together, then the children’s, we went off to play 15 minutes of each of eight different sports, such as football, cricket, hockey, touch rugby, basketball, goalball (a sport for visually impaired people), volleyball and boccia (a sport for less able-bodied people). Talking and interacting with the children through sport was fantastic; they all really wanted to get involved, and some were really competitive!
Wayne Smith, Senior Desktop Support Specialist, Waggener Edstrom Worldwide UK
“I went to this Give & Gain day with a lot of trepidation—after all I would be working with lots of kids. Well, after spending the day showing kids how to play touch rugby, you can’t imagine how much fun it was. My eyes were opened by the amount of fun the kids had, and by how much fun it was for me. I would recommend this to anyone; at the end of the day you see how much just spending a few hours with them can make such a difference.”
Example: Waggener Edstrom Worldwide – Germany
In July 2009, six members of Waggener Edstrom Worldwide Germany volunteered with Humedica, an international humanitarian association, focused on the acquisition, transportation and distribution of relief goods in the catastrophe struck regions around the world. The Waggener Edstrom Worldwide team helped Humedica prepare for the organization’s 30th anniversary celebrations. The volunteer project involved restoring and refreshing the organization’s headquarters and re-organizing storage facilities to accommodate the event attended by 300-people. The team returned again in December 2009 to support Humedica, annual Christmas initiative “Present from the Heart”, which involved preparing and wrapping some of the 40,000 donated gifts, that the organizations distributes to children in poverty stricken areas around the world.
“Supporting Humedica was rewarding. We established a lasting partnership as it is a great way to make a difference to many people in need. There is still such a lot to do for us from now on,” said Manuel Hüttl, Vice President & General Manager, Munich office.
WE Charitable Contributions
Between 1997-2007, Waggener Edstrom Worldwide made more than $1.4 million in charitable contributions and provided more than $1.7 million in professional time to support nonprofit organizations and community activities. Each year, Waggener Edstrom employees can apply for up to $250 annually for a charitable organization of their choice.
