Ulster Bank – Engaging employees through the Community Cashback Awards

Year:ulster-bank

2013

 

Company Description:
Ulster Bank Group is one of Ireland’s largest banks and a subsidiary of RBS group.  Across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, Ulster Bank Group employs 5,800 staff and delivers a range of financial services to over 1.9 million customers through its branch, telephone and online channels.

 

Business Issue:
We receive requests from our employees for donations to help them in their work with charities and community groups in their own time.  In recognising the efforts of employees as fundraisers or as volunteers, Ulster Bank Group aims to make a difference to organisations and charities that benefit from their time, skills and commitment.

 

Solution Applied:
The Community Cashback Awards scheme enables employees to get a cash award each year for their chosen charity.  Every employee can apply for an award of €250 each year for their favourite charity once they raise at least €250 in fundraising, or volunteer more than 19 hours in the year.  The award is paid to their chosen charity.

Over the past five years Ulster Bank staff have through this scheme raised more than half a million euro for hundreds of charities across the island of Ireland.   The Community Cashback scheme is administered online through our intranet, and generates monthly information on the numbers and value of awards, and the charities involved.

 

Company Benefits:

  • Incentivises our staff to get involved in their local communities and helps them to build links with their local charities or community groups.
  • Enhances Ulster Bank’s reputation as a socially responsible business.

 

Stakeholder Benefits:

  • Hundreds of local charities have benefitted financially and from the volunteering time of Ulster Bank staff.
  • Community cashback effectively doubles the fundraising contributions of Ulster Bank staff.

 

Challenges:
Ensuring widespread staff awareness of the scheme and that staff take time to apply

 

Tip:
Showcase the stories of staff who have donated an award to their charity, how it helped – stories help to engage staff.

 

Departments Involved:

Bank-wide initiative

 

Solution Champion:
Pauline McKiernan, Sustainability and Community Affairs Manager.  Email: pauline.mckiernan@ulsterbank.com