
bi-rite's volunteer paid time off program
Every staff member receives four (4) hours of Volunteer Paid Time Off (VPTO) every year to spend supporting a local nonprofit working to improve food security and provide compassionate care.
Check out full details below then choose a partner organization to volunteer with!
how it works
Step 1: Check out our community partners and choose an organization whose mission resonates with you. You can view our partner organizations here: English Español
Step 2: Check out the partner's volunteer opportunities, including their day/time windows and requirements. Find an opportunity that works with your schedule.
Step 3: Click through the link to contact the organization and arrange a volunteer shift with them.
Step 4: When you've confirmed your volunteer shift with the organization, submit a VPTO request to your manager in Paycom (just like you'd request time off.) Choose VPTO as the accrual type. Remember requests need to be made 2 weeks in advance so your manager can schedule correctly.
Step 5: Go to your volunteer shift, connect with folks there, have fun, make an impact.
benefit policy
- Regular full-time and part-time staff will be awarded four (4) hours of Volunteer Paid Time Off (VPTO) at the beginning of each calendar year for the purpose of volunteering with an approved nonprofit organization. A list of organizations and their respective sign-up processes is available online at biritemarket.com/volunteer and biritemarket.com/voluntario
- In order to participate, staff must 1) complete the nonprofit organization's volunteer sign up process and 2) must request and be approved for VPTO through their Paycom ESS app at least two weeks in advance.
- Managers will provide up to 30 minutes, if necessary, of work time to complete the sign-up process for one of the partner organizations. Please keep in mind that holidays are often when the businesses are busiest and VPTO requests will generally not be granted.
- VPTO is a completely voluntary benefit for staff to use during personal, non-work time.
- Bi-Rite (or its insurer) will not be liable for payment of workers' compensation benefits for any injury that arises out of staff's voluntary participation in any off-duty volunteer activity that is not part of the staff's work-related duties.
- Staff under the age of 18 will be required (by the partner organization) to obtain parental permission in order to participate in a volunteer activity.
- VPTO pay is calculated at your regular rate of pay as of the time it is taken. VPTO is not considered hours worked and does not count towards overtime calculations.
- VPTO will not be paid for travel to and from the volunteer opportunity. It is the staff member's responsibility to get themselves to and from the volunteer opportunity.
- Unused VPTO does not carry over to the next year, may not be donated to other staff members, and will not be cashed out if a staff member ends employment with Bi-Rite. Staff on a leave of absence may not receive VPTO.
- All requests for VPTO will be audited with the partner organizations to confirm participation. Fraudulent use, abuse, or lying related to the use of VPTO will result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.
community care break program overview
We believe a thriving business and thriving neighborhood go hand in hand, which is why we’re committed to making a difference by supporting local organizations that are providing direct services to those most in need.
Each year we provide financial sponsorships, food, and expertise to support hundreds of schools and nonprofits. Perhaps most meaningful though, is when we support their work by volunteering our time.
Bi-Rite is proud to offer Volunteer Paid Time Off (VPTO) to create opportunities for staff to volunteer for a shift at a Bi-Rite partner organization based on their personal interest and schedule. Our hope is this employee benefit allows you to spend a few hours actively supporting a community organization working to improve food security and/or provide compassionate care.
We’re committed to providing volunteer opportunities that are structured, consistent, accessible via public or foot travel, and do not require specialized training. To that end we have identified several opportunities that occur throughout the week and at various times of day. Each opportunity has a shift that is four (4) hours or less.
Questions? Email us at community@biritemarket.com