U.K. Businesses Could Gain £32.5 Billion Annually From Workplace Volunteering

Many U.K. companies offer paid volunteering days to employees, but most of this time goes unused each year, costing businesses billions in potential morale and productivity gains.

A growing trend of workplace volunteering may be changing how U.K. businesses think about productivity and employee wellbeing. New research from the Centre for Economics and Business Research, commissioned by the Royal Voluntary Service, shows the U.K. economy could benefit from productivity gains worth at least £32.5 billion a year if companies made full use of volunteering days.

The potential could be even greater if workers in all job roles had access to paid volunteering time and if more employees were offered these opportunities. Right now, volunteering is seen as a way to boost performance and tackle issues like employee burnout, according to the research from the Royal Voluntary Service.

Rising Adoption of Paid Volunteering

A survey of 1,000 U.K. companies found that 62% now offer paid volunteering time to staff. More than a quarter of these companies introduced it in the past year alone. The main reasons are to reduce burnout, re-engage employees, and improve overall performance. Most businesses also agree volunteering supports their company’s purpose and environmental, social, and governance goals.

Unrealized Potential in Volunteering Programs

However, many companies are not using the full potential of their volunteering programs. On average, employers offer 2.3 volunteering days per year, but more than 140 million hours of available volunteering time went unused last year. Not all employees have equal access either, with only 19% of companies offering volunteering opportunities to all staff. Usually, just half of employees get to participate.

Supporting Charities While Strengthening Workforces

Unlocking this unused volunteering time could provide much-needed support to charities at a time when volunteer numbers are falling and demand is rising. To help, the Royal Voluntary Service has launched a new Volunteering Marketplace, offering services to help businesses build and improve their volunteering efforts. These include customized program design, impact measurement, expert advice, and digital badges to recognize participation.

Expanding volunteering opportunities could play a significant role in boosting employee morale and reducing burnout. By having volunteering be more accessible, businesses have the chance to build a stronger, more motivated workforce ready to meet future demands.