Manulife’s new volunteer initiative is designed to strengthen employee well-being, build social connection and unite teams through purpose-driven community action.
In addition to offering its 37,000 global employees an annual paid volunteer day benefit, the insurance company’s inaugural Impact Week — which ran from April 27 to May 1 in Canada and the U.S. — provided a globally-aligned opportunity for workers to use that benefit and volunteer together.
During the week, employees supported community partners focused on health and well-being, financial resilience, food security, education and additional causes. Some 21,724 volunteer hours were logged globally and 234 volunteer activities were completed across 22 communities.
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Alongside curated volunteer opportunities, teams designed their own initiatives through team grants, which enabled groups of 10 or more employees to support non-profit partners with funding and hands‑on effort. “Impact Week created space for colleagues to have dedicated time to come together and make a difference in their communities,” said Pragashini Fox, the insurance company’s chief people officer, in a press release.
“By offering a global volunteer day and empowering teams to lead local initiatives, we’re strengthening connection, belonging and a shared sense of purpose across Manulife. When colleagues come together in service, it builds the connections that underpin strong, inclusive teams.”
According to the press release, research shows the positive effects of volunteering include: longer, healthier lives, including lower blood pressure, improved physical health and reduced mortality; better mental health, with increased purpose and connection and reduced stress, anxiety and depression; and stronger cognitive health, including slower cognitive decline and improved social connection.
“Longevity isn’t only influenced by physical and financial well-being — it’s shaped by how we live and connect,” said Karen Leggett, Manulife’s global chief marketing officer, in the release. “Volunteering builds purpose, social connection and resilience — factors linked to longer, healthier lives. Impact Week gives our colleagues the opportunity to serve our communities while also investing in their own longevity.”
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