Employee engagement has taken a hit as independent agencies navigate through the hardest insurance market in a generation. The vast majority—81%—of agents saw their workloads increase, according to recent research from Liberty Mutual, and more than half report feeling burned out.

Being bogged down by systems and processes has caused many agency employees to lose a sense of purpose in their work. They're looking to get it back. And if they don't find it with your agency, they may turn elsewhere.

Now is an ideal time for a mid-year check-up to remove tasks from employees' plates and prioritize work that offers meaning. But one unconventional solution to burnout involves adding something to employees' plates too: volunteering. 

Agency principals might be tempted to turn to sleep trackers, time management training, or mindfulness apps. But these interventions may only treat symptoms of burnout, rather than the root cause of work overload and mismatched expectations for what is achievable. In fact, a 2024 Oxford University study found that, out of 90 workplace interventions, volunteering was the only intervention that had a meaningful impact on enhancing employee well-being. 

Giving your agency's time, talent and treasure to your local community is an ideal way to create purpose for employees. Service is at the heart of the insurance industry and giving back reminds us why we're in business: to offer peace of mind to our local communities. Embedding volunteering and donating into your company culture provides multiple touchpoints throughout the year to energize employees and live your values.

Ninety-one percent of U.S. office professionals said workplace volunteer opportunities can have a positive impact on their overall work experience and connection to their employer, according to a 2024 study by Deloitte. In fact, 87% said volunteering is a factor in their decision to stay or leave. 

Organizing volunteer events also offers leadership opportunities to agency employees, helps them make connections inside and outside your agency, and generates goodwill in a competitive marketplace. Plus, it's an easy lift with outsized payoff. You can start by giving employees time off to volunteer or dedicating an annual day of service, while recognizing employees for their individual charitable efforts along the way. 

Employees at Gibson Insurance Agency in Girard, Ohio, know firsthand the power of giving back. The agency hosted a food drive for the Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley. After seeing what they were able to collect in just one evening, they realized the potential of coming together as a community to raise food and funds through a bigger annual event.

Each summer for over a decade, the agency hosts Community Appreciation Day, a carnival-style event featuring food trucks, entertainment and giveaways. The event serves as a thank-you gift you to Gibson customers and raises support for the food bank.

All 20-plus Gibson employees volunteer to host, engage with guests and contribute to the food drive. In 2024, they collected 1,466 pounds of food. 

“Watching our agency, employees and customers unite to help those in need was inspiring. And exceeding our goal in 2024 was the cherry on top," says Dawn Lingenfelter, marketing coordinator, Gibson Insurance Agency. “It's proof that when a community shares a goal, we can make a real impact. Hosting an event that lets Gibson give back keeps us motivated, and we hope that it inspires others to give back." 

Keeping employees motivated is key to your agency's success. You may find, just like Gibson Insurance Agency, that providing volunteer opportunities strikes a balance between efficiency, flexibility and purpose to maintain and grow employee engagement. 

Colleen Flynn is program manager for Independent Agent Giving and the Make More Happen Awards at Liberty Mutual Insurance.