An investigation into the role of employer-supported volunteering: benefits to employees and employers
Abstract
This dissertation aims to examine the benefits of employer-supported volunteering
(ESV) to employees and employers. The primary research question is: ‘How does
employer-supported volunteering benefit employees and employers?’. The research
objectives are: to identify the main facilitators and barriers of ESV; to analyse the
impacts of ESV programmes on employees and employers; to evaluate the benefits
of participation in employer-supported volunteering programmes by analysing
employee and employer’s views.
The research employs the mixed methods approach, in which qualitative approach
is examined more closely and quantitative approach is only used for a more
descriptive data. Five semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted, of
which three were with employees and two with employers. Short questionnaire was
used for several background questions about the participants. The research was
done using a single case study approach and therefore all the findings received
were based on views of employees and employers from one organisation.
The significant finding of this study is that ESV programmes are very beneficial to
organisation’s employees and employers. Main benefits for employees are improved
job-related skills, enhanced attitudes and increased knowledge. For employers the
main benefits are enhanced public image, reputation and attractiveness of the
organisation. Secondary research findings suggest that benefits for employees also
count as benefits for employers, as once employees’ skills and attitudes are
increased, their productivity is also increased, which overall translates into success
for the business. This study also analyses the employees’ perceptions and their reasons for volunteering, of which the most common ones are individual, careerrelated
and social reasons. Further, the research shows the role of corporate social
responsibility (CSR) in ESV programmes and how employer-supported volunteering
affects the organisation’s recruitment strategies.