Blue Alliance IT Service Program

What are Service Grant Hours (SGH)?
Service Grant Hours, or SGH as they are listed in Paycom, are up to 40 hours per year any employee can submit and be paid to serve.  

Do all companies in the Blue Alliance IT family support the Service Grant Hours Program?
Although Blue Alliance companies spread across the country and may have different structure as far as sponsored or organizations they choose to partner and assist, the Service Grant Hours Program is a Blue Alliance team effort to make an impact. All teams should use the SGH request workflow in Paycom so we can stay up to date and even report out on the great impact our team is making. This workflow allows for volunteer scheduling to be communicated and tracked accurately. 

Is there a difference in Service Grant Hours between Blue Alliance IT companies?
Yes.  Some Blue Alliance companies may have unlimited PTO, so the Service Grant doesn’t apply.  However, all Blue Alliance companies strongly encourage their employees to take PTO to serve in their community.  The Director of Community is there to help you utilize your Service Grant. 

Is the Service Grant Hours Recording different for Salaried vs. Hourly Employees?
Yes. If you are a salaried employee who participates in service, you are not required to take time off for service if you don’t want to.   For hourly employees, you are required to take SGH for service unless there is an operational need or similar and your manager has approved the resulting OT

What types of service activities qualify for Service Grant Hours?
A wide variety of service activities qualify for the Service Grant.  Qualifying activities include serving food at a soup kitchen, volunteering at your child’s school, helping an elderly neighbor, or even taking a service trip!    Simply request the time and get approval from your supervisor.  If this is a project you developed on your own, you will complete the Service Grant Application form found in Paycom.  Once submitted, the HR Director or Director of Community will review your request and provide timely feedback.  Note: If you would prefer to run an idea by someone before completing the Paycom request, feel free to contact Todd Forman (todd.forman@pathforward.us).

What are the parameters for scheduling or signing up for a service event during work hours?
Submit the time you would be scheduled for the service activity the same way and following the same procedure as with PTO only select “SGH” for Service Grant Hours. Your manager will review and approve the same as they would PTO. Additionally, if this is not a preplanned/preapproved company activity, you must submit in advance via the Service Grant application.   

Do I need to fill out a Service Grant Application for opportunities that the Director of Community shares with us?
No.  Any service opportunity that is offered by the Director of Community will be a pre-approved service event, so you will not need to fill out the Service Grant Application request form.  You must, however, request Service Grant Hours through Paycom, and you also need to notify Todd Forman that you want to participate. If you are bringing children to the event, please include their names and ages in the email. 

What are the parameters for using SGH when done during my workday? 
If it is approved by your supervisor, the time serving is considered SGH. 

What are the parameters for using SGH when done outside of my workday? 
If you have submitted and been approved for a service activity outside of your normal working hours, you can take off the same number of hours during the same week. 

Is there is minimum number of SGH one can do at a time? 
Yes. Service Grant Hours can be broken into smaller chunks, with a minimum of 1 hour of service during any one event. 

Can a person volunteer on a weekend and take SGH earlier that week, prior to the service?
Yes, if the service activity is in the same week.   

What happens if my SGH are taken prior to a service activity and that activity is cancelled?
If the rescheduled date is known, the time can remain Service Grant Hours.  However, if it is cancelled, the Service Grant Hours should be replaced with PTO hours, or you can sign up for another service activity within a reasonable time.  Work with your manager and HR to determine the best plan of action. 

What is the policy for requesting/using SGH for non-exempt employees?
Watch THIS VIDEO for instructions.  If the service is outside of your work hours, work with your manager and HR to determine the best way to handle the schedule accommodation.  

When I request SGH, it shows I have 0 hours (or negative numbers of hours) available.  Is this a mistake?
No.  This is accurate.  The hour set up was configured to be approved when requested rather than showing 40 hours balance to avoid confusion around a “perceived benefit” and needing to pay it out upon termination or end of year payout as an “earned” benefit. Each time you request hours, it subtracts from 0 hours, and you go into the negative.  Your manager will be able to approve up to “-40” hours of SGH.   

If the Director of Community offers a service opportunity that is outside of my work hours, and I don’t want to use SGH, am I still able to volunteer?
Yes!  All employees are encouraged to participate in any of the many service offerings that will be presented each month by the Director of Community.  Most service events are open to spouses, children, and friends, so we encourage their participation as well.   

Am I able to volunteer on a weekday evening and use my SGH the following morning?
Yes.  First, speak with your manager to get approval.  Then complete the Paycom Service Grant Application request (you can skip this step if this is an activity offered by the Director of Community.)  Finally, request Service Grant Hours through Paycom for that morning.  

There are many reasons to use your Service Grant Hours!

Personal growth and development
Community service provides an opportunity for individuals to challenge themselves, develop new skills, and gain a greater sense of self-awareness. This can lead to personal growth and development as individuals gain confidence, expand their knowledge and experiences, and discover new strengths and passions.

Enhanced empathy and compassion
Engaging in community service can help individuals develop greater empathy and compassion for others. By working with and serving people who may be facing challenges or adversity, individuals can gain a greater understanding of the human experience and develop a more compassionate and empathetic worldview.

Improved social skills and communication abilities
Community service often involves working with others, which provides opportunities to develop social skills and improve communication abilities. By working in teams or with diverse groups of people, individuals can improve their ability to listen, communicate, and work collaboratively.

Increased self-confidence and self-esteem
Successfully completing community service projects can boost self-confidence and self-esteem by demonstrating one’s ability to make a positive impact and contribute to a greater cause.

Opportunities for networking and building relationships
Community service can provide opportunities to meet new people, build connections, and expand one’s network. This can be especially beneficial for individuals looking to develop their careers or pursue personal interests.

Exposure to new perspectives and diverse cultures
Engaging in community service can provide exposure to new perspectives and diverse cultures. By working with people from different backgrounds, individuals can gain a greater understanding of different cultures, customs, and values.

Development of leadership and teamwork skills
Community service often involves working in teams, which can help individuals develop leadership and teamwork skills. By taking on leadership roles or working collaboratively with others, individuals can develop skills such as communication, problem-solving, and decision-making.

Improved time management and organization skills
Community service requires individuals to manage their time and organize their tasks effectively. This can help individuals develop time management and organizational skills that can be applied to other areas of their lives.

Opportunities to learn new skills and gain experience
Community service projects often provide opportunities to learn new skills and gain experience. This can be especially beneficial for individuals looking to explore new career paths or develop new hobbies and interests.

Enhanced understanding of community needs and issues
Community service provides an opportunity to learn more about the needs and issues facing a particular community. By working with and serving people in the community, individuals can gain a better understanding of the challenges facing that community and how they can contribute to positive change.

Increased civic engagement and sense of responsibility
Engaging in community service can help individuals develop a greater sense of civic engagement and responsibility. By contributing to the greater good of their community, individuals can feel a greater sense of responsibility for the well-being of others and the world around them.

Improved mental health and wellbeing
Community service can provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment that can improve mental health and wellbeing. By helping others and making a positive impact, individuals can experience a sense of satisfaction and happiness that can boost overall well-being.

Greater sense of purpose and fulfillment
Engaging in community service can provide individuals with a sense of purpose and fulfillment. By contributing to a greater cause or helping others in need, individuals can feel a greater sense of meaning and purpose in their lives.

Opportunities for career exploration and development
Community service can provide opportunities to explore different career paths and gain experience that can be applied to future job opportunities.

Enhanced community involvement and citizenship
Engaging in community service can foster a greater sense of community involvement and citizenship. By working to improve the community and contribute to the greater good, individuals can feel a greater sense of connection to their community and a responsibility to participate in its improvement.

Opportunities for personal and professional growth
Community service can provide opportunities for personal and professional growth. By engaging in service projects, individuals can develop new skills, gain experience, and expand their network, all of which can contribute to personal and professional growth.

Increased sense of social responsibility and civic duty
Engaging in community service can increase an individual’s sense of social responsibility and civic duty. By contributing to the well-being of others and the community, individuals can feel a greater sense of responsibility to society and a desire to continue to contribute to positive change.

Positive impact on the community and individuals served
Community service can have a positive impact on the community and the individuals served. By providing valuable resources, services, and support, community service projects can improve the lives of those in need and contribute to the overall well-being of the community.

Opportunities to make a difference and contribute to the greater good
Engaging in community service provides individuals with an opportunity to make a difference and contribute to the greater good. By working to improve the community and help others in need, individuals can feel a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment knowing they are making a positive impact in the world. This can lead to a greater sense of purpose and motivation to continue contributing to positive change.

…and many more reasons!

It can be difficult to know where to invest your time – there are thousands of non-profit organizations out there!  To help you connect with an organization,  we have a database of non-profit organizations in the Cincinnati and Dayton Region (other regions coming in Q3 2023) who know about our company and the unique skill sets of our outstanding employees.  Click the link below to see a list of the non-profits who are eager to partner with you!

CLICK BELOW FOR

Region by Region Expansion

During Phase One of the Service Program rollout,  we are actively building the program in the Cincinnati/Dayton region. We hope that employees in this region will plug into these opportunities and embrace their Service Grant Opportunity.

Once this region is established and Service Ambassadors are identified in the other areas, we will move into Phase Two and expand group service opportunities in the Detroit, Atlanta, Memphis, and other areas where Blue Alliance IT employees reside.

However…please don’t wait for us to develop group service opportunities in your region before getting started.  If you identify non-profits that would make good partners and provide service opportunities, reach out to them.  Also, contact Todd Forman who invite them to register with the Blue Alliance IT Program.