Social action is when people come together to solve the problems in their local community. Employer-supported volunteering (ESV), also known as Corporate Volunteering, is where an organisation’s employees take paid time off to volunteer during work hours. Employees can choose to use this time to support a charity or community group of their own choice, or to take up an opportunity provided by their employer. Changing global and social factors as well as greater recognition of employer branding mean that the levels of both social action and ESV are increasing. As volunteering is a key element of social action, ESV opportunities, such as volunteering at a food bank or community allotment, facilitate social action.
At the CIPD we believe in the double benefit of volunteering; for the volunteer who develops their skills and the beneficiary who directly gains from the intervention.
As the professional body for HR and people development, the CIPD is keen to act as a broker of social action opportunities for our members, supporting HR professionals to use their unique skills and insights to be a force for good in the world of work. We want every HR professional to get involved in social action and to champion this in their own organisations. One of three core values of the CIPD Profession Map is 'principles-led', meaning HR professionals 'go beyond policy and process to do what's right.' Therefore, HR professionals are ideally placed to act as a catalyst for employee volunteering, so it becomes integral to how an organisation is run and managed.
This guide brings together practical tips from employers who have successfully embedded volunteering into their organisations.
Examples of employee volunteering
Advantages of employee volunteering
10 practical tips for implementation
Tips from employers who have embedded volunteering into their organisations
Useful resources
CIPD Trust
Tackling barriers to work today whilst creating inclusive workplaces of tomorrow.
Learn about embedding employer-supported volunteering in your organisation, different types of opportunities and why it matters
Guidance for HR professionals on how to embed environmental sustainability into all aspects of an organisation’s employee lifecycle
Learn about defining, measuring and reporting human capital, and how HR can use human capital information to drive performance
Is environmental sustainability simply a passing trend for the PR-conscious? In this episode, we explore how people professionals can be agents of change for an important issue that has further reaching implications outside of their organisation.
This guide provides an overview of the step-by-step process for employers to manage the redundancy process
Advice for managers when a member of staff on their team faces redundancy
Find out more about the Mental Health at Work Commitment and the CIPD content that will help you to meet the standards
What this practice is, why you should avoid it, and how to approach it if no other options are available