FOR EMPLOYEES
In 2015, the Conservative Party promised to give employees at large companies and in the public sector the right to paid leave for volunteering.
Employees are extremely positive about giving at work, whilst employers that offer opportunities to support good causes through the workplace generate positivity, enthusiasm and increase productivity of their staff.
Through our Growing Giving Inquiry we saw BT’s participation in Sport Relief and the opportunities for volunteering had a significant impact on employee engagement. In fact, after Sports Relief 2012, BT found that 99% of their employees believed volunteering to be a good use of their time and 94% said that they were proud to work for BT.
There are associated benefits too, with suggestions that employees who volunteer are likely to be more productive and loyal, which can have a consequent reduction on employers costs such as recruitment and training.
People – especially the younger generation– are increasingly conscious of the reputations of companies and their corporate responsibility record. That includes a desire to shop from businesses that they see as ethical, and a determination to work for organisations whose values they share.
If the Government pushes ahead with their workplace volunteering policy pledge over this Parliament we’ll see an increased focus on workplace volunteering, with positive results for employees and employers alike.