To mark the 40th Anniversary of Volunteers’ Week, Voluntary Action Orkney (VAO) is launching its own Employer Supported Volunteering (ESV) Policy.
Volunteer Scotland describes Employer Supported Volunteering as: “An initiative developed by the employer to assist employees in participating in all forms of volunteering that are consistent with the values of the organisation”.
There are many benefits that an ESV Policy brings to an organisation and it’s staff, including:
- allowing staff to develop and improve their morale and motivation;
- increasing the skills base and enhancing the public perception of the organisation;
- improving our links and networks within Orkney’s Third Sector;
- bringing the VAO staff team together for meaningful shared activity.
Employer Supported Volunteering also provides the opportunity to give back to the community and can make a real difference to volunteer involving organisations.
Our ESV Policy will allow all staff to take paid time off from work to take part in voluntary activity, with an allowance of 3 days per year for full-time members of staff and 3 half days for part-time members of staff. In addition to this, there will be 1 day a year for the whole staff team to take part in a volunteering activity where all staff will be encouraged to participate together.
For organisations and businesses who would like to find out more about this initiative or to get support with creating your own ESV Policy, please contact VAO’s Volunteer Development Worker, Aimee Harvey, on aimee.harvey@vaorkney.org.uk or telephone 01856 872897.
