By Carolyn Steeves
PBN Staff Writer

In the summer of 2010, Navigant Credit Union started an outreach program called VForce through which employees can take a day off with pay to volunteer their time to charity. According to Navigant, more than 50 percent of employees have participated in the year since the program was started.

“By providing the employees with an opportunity [to volunteer] … it gives them a certain sense of worth,” Vice President of Marketing Tim Draper said.

Employees have used the VForce program to help several groups, including Habitat for Humanity, the Salvation Army, Boys and Girl Scouts of America and the YMCA.

As an organization, Navigant supports the Special Olympics held annually at the University of Rhode Island. The company provided the construction financing to build a new facility in Smithfield along with volunteer hours for the athletes and the nonprofit’s capital campaign.

The support that Navigant provides its staff for community commitments is part of the company’s effort to preserve the family culture that it has built over the past 94 years, said Draper. For instance, it offers a tuition-assistance program for employees looking to improve themselves through education. It also provides an on-site fitness center with locker rooms. In addition, there are trainer-led exercise classes held after work hours and during lunch hours.

Hardly an institution to back away from its commitment to customers, Navigant offers year-end bonuses to employees based on job function and results. But it really supports a high-performing workplace through its Core Value Recognition Program.

Employees are asked to “Live it. Learn it. Share it. Own it.” And those who do are honored with an award, gift cards and one thing that definitely helps their family life, paid time off. •