The Role of Volunteerism in Enhancing Employee Well-Being within Companies’ Sustainable Development

Beata Krzywosz-Rynkiewicz

University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Department of Clinical, Educational and Developmental Psychology
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4306-4875

Halina Frańczak

DXC Technology Poland
https://orcid.org/0009-0007-3744-4798


Abstract

Objective: The study investigates associations between volunteering by employees and pre–post changes in ‘life satisfaction’ and ‘psychological well-being’, and whether job satisfaction and motivation to help moderate these associations.

Method: A quasi-experimental study was conducted with 635 employee volunteers participating in a nationwide volunteering campaign. Pre- and post-intervention surveys were conducted to assess changes in ‘life satisfaction,’ ‘psychological well-being,’ job satisfaction, and motivation to volunteer. Statistical analyses included t-tests, ANOVA, correlation analysis, and cluster analysis.

Results: The results indicate that volunteering increases employees' ‘life satisfaction’ but may decrease their ‘psychological well-being’, particularly in terms of personal development. Employees with high job satisfaction were more resilient, reporting both higher ‘life satisfaction’ and stable ‘psychological well-being’. Furthermore, altruistic motivation was a protective factor, whereas egocentric motives were associated more weakly with well-being outcomes. Importantly, employees with low job satisfaction were more likely to experience a further decrease in job satisfaction and psychological well-being after volunteering.

 Conclusion: This study is one of the first quasi-experimental analyses to document dual-pattern pre–post changes in employee well-being linked to volunteering by employees, highlighting their complex, sometimes paradoxical, outcomes. It provides practical guidance for managers, showing that volunteering should be strategically targeted at engaged employees rather than used as a universal remedy for integration or dissatisfaction, thereby providing insights into sustainable human resource management practices in contemporary organizations.


Keywords:

psychological well-being, life satisfaction, job satisfaction, volunteerism, employee engagement, sustainable development


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Published
2026-06-08

Cited by

Krzywosz-Rynkiewicz, B., & Frańczak, H. (2026). The Role of Volunteerism in Enhancing Employee Well-Being within Companies’ Sustainable Development. The Review of Psychology, 69(1), 121–143. https://doi.org/10.31648/przegldpsychologiczny.13035

Beata Krzywosz-Rynkiewicz 
University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Department of Clinical, Educational and Developmental Psychology
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4306-4875
Halina Frańczak 
DXC Technology Poland
https://orcid.org/0009-0007-3744-4798