DHL employees engage in purposeful volunteering efforts

DHL is an employer that is highly focused on giving back to the communities in which it serves, with DHL Personnel and Sustainability (ESG) spokesperson Jessica Balleer [pictured above] highlighting how DHL engages through Global Volunteer Day (GVD).

"DHL called on employees to get involved in GVD in what is now its 15th year. Celebrating this anniversary with employees around the globe, the company is building on past successes and marking the occasion with special events," shares Jessica.

DHL has an extensive global volunteering focus

First introduced in Singapore back in 2008, GVD is now a global initiative, with DHL encouraging employees to volunteer in non-profit projects in the countries where they live.

"Over the years, some 1.3 million volunteers have answered the call, dedicating more than 3.1 million hours in voluntary engagement in their home communities. Across the DHL Group divisions, employees have focused their activities on environmental protection, disaster management, education and vocational training, refugee aid, health and well-being, and social services. This has made GVD an effective team building and employee engagement lever," explains Jessica.

Making a positive impact

As DHL's Board Member for HR, CHRO Thomas Ogilvie explains: "Connecting people and improving lives also means having a positive effect in the communities we operate in and serve. Therefore DHL Group encourages and supports Global Volunteer Day activities. We are proud of the positive impact our employees make with their GVD projects. Our workforce has dedicated more than 3.1 million hours in voluntary work since 2008, and some 100,000 employees step up each year to volunteer for GVD. For us, it's not just about being part of a team, but about having a sense of belonging. It's about being part of a community and working to make things better for the people and places around us."

Supporting worthwhile projects

In this 15th anniversary year, Follow the Sun is the GVD 2023 slogan inspiring DHL Group volunteers. Over a period of 15 weeks, DHL employees are working on GVD projects in 15 countries running from east to west.

Spanning the globe, these GVD anniversary activities are under way in New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, India, Madagascar, Serbia, Uganda, Germany, the United Kingdom, Paraguay, Panama, Colombia and the United States. Employees are free to choose the kinds of projects and activities they work on. The only requirement is that they be aligned with the focus areas that make up the sustainability strategy of DHL Group.

With its longstanding GoTeach, GoHelp, GoTrade and GoGreen initiatives, the company supports projects focusing on climate protection, improving employability for young people, disaster management, and facilitating trade for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries.

A wide range of projects also receive financial support from the Group's own Improving Lives Fund.

A community outreach program

The groupwide GVD is a community outreach program focused on instilling the spirit of volunteerism among DHL's employees, encouraging them to devote time and effort to create a positive impact in their communities.

Annually, over 100,000 employees are involved in providing support to non-profit projects in their local communities as part of the GVD program, contributing in more than 100 countries around the world. The number of local volunteer projects has grown steadily in the past few years. DHL Group is proud that every year, more and more employees dedicate themselves to volunteer engagement.

Connecting People. Improving lives - this common purpose unites everything DHL Group does. It drives its commitment to sustainability and leverages the strengths of its global team to create a lasting impact in the communities it operates in. To live up to that purpose, DHL pledges to invest 1% of its net profit each year to create lasting impact for the people and the communities.