Volunteering

Merck has numerous volunteer programs in place around the world addressing a variety of societal challenges, from HIV education in Brazil, "Roll Up Your Sleeves" in the Netherlands, "Lend a Hand" in Malaysia and "Clean Up Australia Day," to an award-winning pro-bono legal assistance program in the United States and "Community Days" in the Philippines. To read about local programs, click here.

In January, 2009, Merck introduced the new Global Employee Volunteerism Policy to expand Merck's culture of volunteerism and to encourage employees worldwide to become involved in appropriate volunteering activities in Merck communities. Under this policy, eligible Merck employees may receive up to twenty paid work hours per calendar year to volunteer. Merck considers enhanced employee volunteering as a way to engage with individuals and groups in our communities and hopes to expand opportunities for employee involvement in local communities. To date, nearly 400 employees across 26 Merck sites have reported participation in community volunteer projects.

Partnership For Giving

The Merck Partnership for Giving (P4G) is our year-round matching funds program that gives active U.S. and Puerto Rico-based employees and retirees the opportunity to support health and human services agencies, accredited educational institutions, and arts and culture organizations of their choice. Employee and retiree contributions up to $30,000/year are matched by The Merck Company Foundation.

Touched by an Agency

While Merck employees contribute to their communities in many ways, they also benefit from the services that local health and human services organizations provide. To recognize and thank the many people and organizations that have made a difference in our own lives and the lives of our families, U.S.-based employees are invited each year to nominate non-profit agencies to receive a $1,000 "Thank You Grant" through the Merck P4G program. Employee's personal experiences with these agencies are shared through Merck's online newsletter, The Daily. We also post these stories on our P4G web site.

Merck Blood Drive

Merck runs blood drives at many of its sites. For example, in New Jersey, blood drives are run every quarter with the help of our partner, New Jersey Blood Services.