Social Responsibility

Our Approach

Our approach to social responsibility is driven by three things. First is our mission to improve lives. As researchers, we gain a deep understanding of the many needs facing Americans. But it has never been enough for Westat to provide answers only through research. We’ve always sought to improve lives beyond our everyday work.

Second, being an employee-owned company gives us a long-term view of Westat and our place in the communities where we work and reside. This keeps us mindful of our environmental impact and drives our support for local workforce development and economic opportunity for all.

The third is Westat’s cooperative and mindful culture. We collaborate through our research to meet client needs and improve lives. Then we carry that ethic out into our communities. By reaching out with our time and talents, we find ways to give back through effective partnerships.

Volunteering

Volunteer Westat is an employee-driven initiative that empowers employees to connect, coordinate and participate in charitable activities in their communities. Westat employees volunteer their personal time in service to the community in many ways, including food, clothing, and toy drives, fundraising for disease research, youth mentoring, blood drives, and more.

Community Support

Westat makes strategic contributions to organizations working to improve lives in ways tied to Westat’s work in the areas of health, education, workforce development, nutrition, social policy, transportation, and criminal justice. These are typically multiyear arrangements with the potential to significantly advance the mutual goals of Westat and the organization for the benefit of a range of populations. Our current partners include the United Way Campaign, the Children’s Inn at NIH, New Futures, Leadership Montgomery, and the Montgomery College Foundation. Westat also provides financial support to a wide range of national, regional, and local organizations in Montgomery County, Maryland, where we are headquartered, and in many other communities where our employees have a presence.

Sustainability

Sustainability and environmental stewardship are an integral part of Westat’s culture. You see this in everything from our use of electric and alternative fuel vehicles to our energy-efficient lighting and equipment to our water conservation efforts and storm water management. Westat’s work-from-home policies significantly reduce the carbon footprint associated with daily commutes to the office. For those commuting to our headquarters campus, Westat offers free electric vehicle charging stations, as well as a subsidy program for those taking public transportation.