Microsoft workers head to community as volunteers

Workers laying sod this week for the new soccer field at Veteran's Memorial Elementary School stepped away from their desks at Microsoft Licensing Inc. to volunteer time and effort to their community.

The volunteer work is part of their paid workday, says Chris Holder, senior manager in operations at Microsoft Licensing in Reno.

During its community action week, the company will deploy 200 employees into the community to volunteer at 15 local organizations.

Employees can choose to work for a charity of their own choice, or join an organized team effort, or opt out altogether.

And Microsoft will match any monetary donations that employees make to the charity of their choice.

In return, Microsoft Licensing benefits on the recruiting front, says Holder. Because employees commonly transfer within the company, there is constant opportunity to bring people in from outside. And the exposure that results from community work results in good public relations.

Workflow is not compromised while workers are out on volunteer duty, he adds, because, "Our corporate culture is results oriented. And in a worldwide corporation, people already work unconventional hours."

Microsoft Licensing sunk its Reno roots in 1997 with 40 employees, and now employs 250.

"The company has close ties to Bill Gates, one of the world's leading philanthropists," says Holder. "Corporations are realizing that it's up to them to create change."