If you’re looking for ways that your business can help support your community, you should think about Employer-Supported Volunteering. Find out how this could help local organisations in your area, and build a team of enthusiastic and fulfilled employees.
What is Employer-Supported Volunteering?
Employer-Supported Volunteering, otherwise known as ESV, allows employees to volunteer as part of their working day. Employers can establish volunteering leave for their business, so that staff members can help support their communities, or they can form relationships with other organisations so that employees can volunteer regularly.
Why is Employer-Supported Volunteering important?
A successful ESV programme is beneficial to employees, employers and the communities they are serving.
Businesses which provide Employer-Supported Volunteering can expect an improved relationship with their employees and their communities, a continually developing workforce, and a boost to staff morale. Having an Employer-Supported Volunteering programme also speaks to the culture of your business; it promotes teamwork, giving back and collaborative, compassionate values. Demonstrating your business’ commitment to supporting other organisations works to incentivise both prospective employees, and future customers.
For employees, an Employer-Supported Volunteering programme can give individuals a sense of fulfilment, accomplishment and happiness. According to the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), over three-quarters of volunteers reported that volunteering improved their mental health and wellbeing, 93% of those who volunteer benefit from the enjoyment that their volunteering brings them, and 90% report feeling like they make a difference through their volunteering. Ultimately, employees that are happier are much more beneficial to business.
An Employer-Supported Volunteering programme can be transformative for communities. Charities, community and voluntary organisations have struggled to stay afloat throughout the pandemic, and then subsequently with the cost of living crisis. Although the need for these organisations has never been greater, it has also never been harder for them to survive. Enthusiastic volunteers are the backbone of many of the services that people rely on; as local charity Fighting All Cancers Together (FACT) states, ‘we can…never have too many pairs of hands’
How to get started with Employer-Supported Volunteering
When organisations are thinking about starting an Employer-Supported Volunteering programme, it can help to return to your company values. Consider what your business is passionate about; do you want to help the next generation of employees get into the world of work? Are you interested in teaching young people the skills that will benefit them as adults? Is your organisation focused on supporting minority groups?
Finding your passion will help you to identify the kind of Employee-Supported Volunteering opportunities that align with your business. It might also be useful to speak with your employees, as they might have their own ideas about the kinds of volunteering that they care about, and could benefit your business.
Next, you need to start planning. The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, or CIPD, has a great guide to help you implement an Employer-Supported Volunteering programme, as well as examples of both short-term and longer-term voluntary roles.
Find out how to implement Employer-Supported Volunteering for your business
