How to improve workplace volunteering

Employees giving up their time for good causes is becoming increasingly popular in UK workplaces, according to latest evidence. But this research also suggests employers can do more to keep up with soaring demand for workplace volunteering.

To mark the start of Volunteers’ Week, we look at latest research around workplace schemes and the action charities and employers can take to ensure staff members can support charities.

Increasing demand for workplace volunteering

According to research published in May 2024 by social enterprise Works4U, there has been a fivefold increasing in staff giving up their time for good causes since the pandemic.

While one in ten were taking part in workplace volunteering before 2020, the figure now stands at just over half. But research found that while opportunities are increasing, more can be done.

Nine in ten employees surveyed by Works4U think their employers can do more to promote opportunities.

A quarter are organising their own volunteering opportunities at work, which Works4U warns, “acts as a barrier as they do not have time to both participate and organise the volunteering”.

Time off for volunteering varies greatly, according to the research, which involved the views of 546 workers.

Two in five employees who are aware of volunteering leave are given just one day a year to volunteer, a third have two days, while one in six have three days leave to help charities. Only 3% are given four days to volunteer.

There is confusion too about workplace schemes. A quarter do not know how much time their bosses allow for volunteering, according to Works4U.

“It is so great to see the level of employer organised volunteering increasing but fascinating that this is still far behind the expectations of employees,” said Works4U Chief Executive Dominic Pinkney. “There has been a shift in perception of volunteering by employees, changing from being a nice to have, to being seen very much as a business-as-usual activity but not all employers have caught up.”

The value of workplace volunteering

Research published by think tank Pro Bono Economics for business volunteering charity Pilotlight in April 2024 estimates that workplace volunteering could be worth as much as £6.4bn to the UK economy.

This research estimates that the economic value of boosting workers’ wellbeing by helping good causes could be worth between £1.2bn and £3.6bn. This includes saving as much as 2.5m in total sick days through having a healthier and happier workforce.

Gains through improved productivity through workplace volunteering is estimated to be between £1.6bn and £2.8bn.

But, as with Workd4U’s research, Pro Bono Economics found that more can be done to offer volunteering opportunities to staff.

It estimates that between 17 and 21 million workers do not have access to workplace schemes. The think tank cites research by NCVO that found demand certainly exists, with as many as a third of workers saying they would take advantage of volunteering schemes at work if they were available.

“Increasing access to workplace volunteering opportunities has a triple dividend, as it could boost productivity and unlock billions in the UK economy, while providing much needed support for charities,” said Pro Bono Economics Director of Research and policy Dr Jansev Jemal. “In addition to wellbeing for employees, there’s a compelling, hard-nosed business case for considering workplace volunteering, including boosts to health and skills.”

How to improve workplace volunteering

Below are some actions you can take to improve workplace volunteering.

Imaginative team building

Firms are being urged to discuss fundraising ideas with their staff that are fun, encourage team building, and help good causes. Among those doing that is Strand Palace Hotel in London.

Head of Sustainability Alexandra Berry says: “Our team love to get involved in team-building hikes, red nose days, wellbeing walks, ‘Wear it Pink’ days, charity runs, bingo nights, themed quizzes, clothing donation drives, as well as offering our team a paid volunteering day each year…Feedback from our team has expressed these community events provide socialisation and relaxation outside of the hotel alongside contribution to a charitable cause, of which they are passionate about supporting.”

Integrating volunteering into workplace platforms

Another useful way to help staff give up their time for good causes is to integrate volunteering into their working life through workflow platforms, such as Slack and Asana. Separate sections can be created to ensure that volunteering is a regular part of workers’ week, or month.

This ensures that volunteering does not interfere with regular workload. Such workflow tools can also be used to flag up volunteering activities and schemes to ensure better promotion of opportunities.

Linking up with local charities

Employers are being urged to link up formally with local good causes to see how they can support their mission. This could be through staff fundraising, or giving up their time to help if their skills are applicable.

For example, the Strand Palace Hotel’s Berry explains that it has a regular commitment to raise money for local homelessness charity the Connection at St Martins. This sees hotel staff volunteer to spend time with those being supported by the charity in their art toom “with arts, crafts and chatting”.