Royal Voluntary Service has launched the 100 Million Hour Movement, urging employers to increase employee volunteering and help boost workplace morale.
The campaign aims to double employee volunteering hours from 50 million to 100 million by the end of 2028.
Research for the campaign found that 49% of UK workers rated their morale as low or neutral and one in five said it had worsened in the past year.
Workload pressures, lack of recognition, poor work–life balance, cost cutting, salary freezes, and a lack of purpose were among the main reasons given.
42% of workers said challenges in their communities had affected workplace culture or team relationships.
Carole Urey, chief revenue officer at Royal Voluntary Service, said: “The nation is under growing strain. People are feeling depleted and disengaged, with workplace morale declining and communities facing mounting pressures.
“Employee volunteering is a practical and effective way to respond to these challenges.
“Yet in many workplaces it’s still an overlooked resource. Millions of volunteering hours set aside each year go unused. It’s a wasted opportunity.”
Urey added: “We’ve launched the 100 Million Hour Movement to kickstart a national effort to reboot the UK’s morale and build community resilience through the power of employee volunteering at scale.
“From major corporates to SMEs, public sector organisations and not-for-profits, we’re calling on UK employers to sign a pledge to grow participation in volunteering and join our movement to create positive, lasting change across our workplaces and communities.”
Beth Dowson, partner and community action co-lead at Browne Jacobson, said: “Our people are passionate about making a difference in their local communities and volunteering is a great way to do this.
“Signing the pledge reflects our commitment to going even further, to expand our impact, create more opportunities to contribute and encourage more colleagues to get involved, and supports Browne Jacobson’s ambition to work at the forefront of tackling society’s biggest issues.”
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