Business News
Xerox Grants Fully Paid Sabbatical to Rochester-Area Employee
Monday 18. February 2008 - Putting experience to work for Foodlink of Rochester
Rod Forte, an information management program manager for Xerox Corporation (NYSE: XRX), is trading in his laptop and office in Webster to spend 12 months volunteering with Foodlink, a Rochester-area food bank. Forte is one of six Xerox employees nationwide selected for a Social Service Leave, a fully paid leave of absence where employees work full time on social action projects of their own design and choosing.
One of few corporate sabbatical programs that provide paid opportunities for employees to volunteer in their communities, Xerox’s Social Service Leave program is believed to be the oldest of its kind in American business. He is one of six Xerox employees nationwide selected for the 2008 program.
“For the past 15 years I’ve organized pick up and delivery of salvageable food items to those in need, and I have seen the impact that these donations have on the families in our community that would otherwise go hungry,” said Forte. “The amount of food and health care goods that go to waste every day is unbelievable. I feel blessed for the opportunity to use my professional experience to help Foodlink, and I hope my contribution will mean we can lend a helping hand to more families.”
The 12-month project will be aimed at re-engineering Foodlink’s sorting and distribution process to improve utilization rates of warehouse storage and the food itself. Through a more efficient logistics process, Forte hopes to reduce operating costs for both Foodlink and the agencies it supports while providing healthier, more nutritional options for recipients.
“We are very thankful to Xerox for giving us Rod’s know-how for a full year. Because of the work that Rod is doing, not only will our organization be able to take in and deliver more food but countless families will also benefit, which strengthens the Rochester community. Rod’s passion for our program and the many years of his dedication to those in need are to be commended,” said Tom Ferraro, director and founder of Foodlink of Rochester.
It’s a family thing
This is not the first time the Forte family has lent a helping hand to an area charity. In addition to his work with Foodlink, Forte has also served for over 20 years on several church-based social ministry committees to provide assistance for the less fortunate in the Rochester community. In 2005, Forte’s wife, Patricia, a financial analyst at Xerox, was also granted the Social Service Leave. She worked with Trinity House of H.O.P.E, an organization offering emotional and financial support to those in the Webster area struggling with economic distress and poverty.
The Fortes exemplify the ways Xerox and its people invest in the Rochester community. In addition to the Social Service Leave program, Xerox employees can volunteer through the local Xerox Community Involvement Program, teach science in elementary schools through the Xerox Science Consultants Program, mentor high school students through the FIRST Robotics program and support the United Way.
Xerox began its Social Service Leave program in 1971 to foster employee involvement and provide volunteer assistance in communities where Xerox people work and live. Since then, 481 leaves have been granted. Employees who have been with the company at least five years are eligible to apply for paid leaves of up to one year.