In conjunction with the recent International Corporate Philanthropy Day, Meritor Inc. announced the launch of a new employee volunteer program called the “Power of Volunteering,” encouraging its employees globally to volunteer 40,000 hours annually by 2020. “Meritor’s 10,000 employees globally are a driving force in our communities,” says Chip McClure, chairman, chief executive officer and president. “Our employees enhance the quality of life by investing in our communities and building partnerships that advance education and community needs.”
McClure says it is important to support the communities in the 19 countries where Meritor operates, and that employee involvement is a critical element in that effort. Employees provide personal local support for schools, neighborhood associations and other organizations. Each Meritor facility implements a local community relations strategy, which is supported at all levels of the company.
Meritor says this strategy also is an integral component of its overarching sustainability goals. To support its employees in meeting the goal of 40,000 hours of volunteering, the company is using a Web-based tool that allows employees to track their hours of service and identify organizations offering volunteer opportunities in their communities. Areas of specific focus include volunteer programs supporting education, health, human services and civic endeavors, as well as arts and culture.
The structure of Meritor’s board of directors includes an Environmental and Social Responsibility Committee. Among its responsibilities is setting the direction for Meritor’s long-term sustainability goals and developing community involvement policies. It also reviews the company’s community involvement activities worldwide and is charged with monitoring employee relations with an emphasis on ensuring equal opportunities and advancement, product safety and integrity, employee health and safety and the protection and enhancement of the environment and energy resources.
