Volunteering Complements Wellness of Spirit and Environmental, Social, and Governance Goals
Boosting Business and Society with Employee Volunteering
In the UK, employee volunteering programs are gaining traction as a smart investment for businesses, aligning with corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals and offering numerous benefits for both employees and employers.
According to a report by YouGov, less than half of UK working adults are currently participating in employee volunteering programs. However, the benefits are significant. Research shows that if every employee in a professional or managerial role used their volunteer days, it could result in a £32.5 billion boost to UK productivity in 2024.
The Royal Voluntary Service, a leading organisation in volunteering, has launched the Volunteering Marketplace - a digital platform designed to match businesses and employees with appropriate volunteer opportunities efficiently. This marketplace simplifies the process for companies to integrate volunteering into their employee benefit strategies, providing a streamlined way to find causes that align with company values and employee interests, thus maximising social impact and business benefits.
The Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr) analysis estimates that fully utilising employee volunteering could add £32.5 billion in productivity gains annually to the UK economy, equivalent to about £5,239 per professional or managerial employee. The benefits include reduced employee burnout, higher engagement and morale, improved performance and productivity, and alignment with company purpose and ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) objectives.
Employers are placing increasing importance on the ESG credentials of employee benefits providers. GRiD, a leading organisation in the HR & Employment sector, notes that this is particularly important in regulated areas like insurance. Their emphasis on ESG compliance in employee benefits could potentially improve the overall sustainability and ethical practices within the industry.
The Volunteering Marketplace aims to unlock a 140 million hour opportunity, making it easier for companies to offer volunteering as part of their employee benefits package. The report by YuLife suggests that a majority of UK working adults are interested in participating in employee volunteering programs if given the opportunity. This trend could encourage more companies to implement employee volunteering programs and prioritise social and environmental initiatives.
Clara Govier, the Managing Director at People's Postcode Lottery, emphasises the fundamental role volunteers play in many charities and good causes. Catherine Johnstone CBE, the Chief Executive of Royal Voluntary Service, oversees the operation of the Volunteering Marketplace, which is poised to enhance business productivity while delivering wider societal benefits.
In summary, employee volunteering programs supported by platforms like the Royal Voluntary Service’s Marketplace can both enhance business productivity and deliver wider societal benefits in the UK context. The benefits include reduced employee burnout, higher engagement and morale, improved performance and productivity, alignment with company purpose and ESG targets, and economic benefits estimated at £32.5 billion annually. The report by YuLife could encourage more companies to prioritise social and environmental initiatives, further enhancing the positive impact of employee volunteering programs in the UK.
[1] Royal Voluntary Service (2025). Volunteering Marketplace report. [2] YuLife (2024). UK working adults' attitudes towards environmental and social initiatives in the workplace.
- Companies can maximize their social impact and business benefits by using platforms like the Volunteering Marketplace, which simplifies the process of matching businesses and employees with appropriate volunteer opportunities.
- Employee volunteering programs can result in significant benefits for both employers and employees, including reduced employee burnout, higher engagement and morale, and improved performance and productivity.
- If every employee in a professional or managerial role used their volunteer days, it could potentially boost UK productivity by £32.5 billion in 2024, equivalent to about £5,239 per employee.
- The emphasis on ESG compliance in employee benefits, as highlighted by GRiD, could potentially improve the overall sustainability and ethical practices within regulated industries.
- The Volunteering Marketplace aims to unlock a 140 million hour opportunity, making it easier for companies to offer volunteering as part of their employee benefits package.
- A majority of UK working adults are interested in participating in employee volunteering programs if given the opportunity, which could encourage more companies to implement employee volunteering programs and prioritize social and environmental initiatives.
