Firm hands
With frequency, businesses are allowing their workers to take paid time off for volunteer work. This most notably has occurred in response to Hurricane Katrina, where businesses have given employees permission to help in the relief efforts. The policies are seen as part of a trend toward encouraging volunteerism as a way for companies to burnish their images and promote teamwork while making themselves more attractive to employees, especially younger workers.
See "Firm hands", Barbara Rose, Chicago Tribune, October 5, 2005