WNCN reported on the opening of Fidelity Insurance's new office in Durham, North Carolina. As one of the largest employers in the area, Fidelity merited the attendance of even the governor at the grand opening celebration. However, many employees skipped the festivities to instead participate in a day of service at Lowe's Middle School where they helped with construction, landscaping, and setting up science experiments. Jackie Benston, one of the volunteers, reflected, "It feels really good when you can sit down with a group of people and know you're doing something for work, but when you can also get together with that same group of people and know that you're making an impact in the community [it's even better]."
It is interesting to me that the company had two parallel rituals - the grand opening with notable public figures and the boots on the ground day of service. Perhaps it wasn't captured in the WNCN story, but maybe employees had the opportunity to participate in both. Each are important contributors to the company's culture, so I wonder if there were unintended consequences to making a choice or what message it sent to employees if all the top executives were at the office opening instead of at the school. While I am sure that both activities were rewarding, only the day of service creates a sense of meaning through giving.
It is interesting to me that the company had two parallel rituals - the grand opening with notable public figures and the boots on the ground day of service. Perhaps it wasn't captured in the WNCN story, but maybe employees had the opportunity to participate in both. Each are important contributors to the company's culture, so I wonder if there were unintended consequences to making a choice or what message it sent to employees if all the top executives were at the office opening instead of at the school. While I am sure that both activities were rewarding, only the day of service creates a sense of meaning through giving.
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