Despite 77% of companies offering paid volunteering time, 38% of employees never use it, with fewer than 10% engaging regularly
London, UK, 15 July 2025 – A new survey by OnHand, corporate volunteering platform experts, has uncovered a sharp divide between company policies and employee participation when it comes to workplace volunteering. While 77.3% of employees said their employer offers volunteering opportunities during work hours, 38% never use them, and fewer than one in ten take part in volunteering monthly or weekly.
The report, From Policy to Practice: Bridging the Workplace Volunteering Disconnect, draws on responses from 471 employees across various industries and organisation sizes. It highlights a critical underutilisation of volunteering schemes that could be driving greater employee engagement, wellbeing and productivity.
Clarity appears to be a significant barrier. Almost one in five (16.5%) employees surveyed were unsure how much volunteering time their workplace offered. In addition, 72% of employees don’t believe that employees who volunteer are more valued in their workplace, indicating a perception gap on just how positive it can be for growth, motivation and productivity. More than half (60%) say they don’t notice or aren’t sure whether volunteering increases their productivity and morale, largely because they aren’t volunteering. This lack of clear communication is keeping take-up far lower than expected, according to OnHand.
Volunteering frequency – or how often organisations allow their employees to volunteer – remains low despite workplace support. Only 3.8% of organisations offer six or more volunteering days a year. The majority of workplaces offer just one day, with two and three days being the next most common. Yet 72% of employees say their workplace has a supportive culture regarding volunteering, suggesting there’s a gap between attitude and action.
“Unfortunately, employees aren’t seeing the benefits of volunteering yet, including that it can boost productivity and morale,” said Sanjay Lobo MBE, founder and CEO of OnHand. “Those who do volunteer report tangible benefits. Almost 40% of respondents say that volunteering has positively impacted their productivity in the workplace, as well as their motivation, mindfulness, team relationships, morale, skills and attitude.”
Volunteering programmes may not be embedded early enough according to OnHand, with the lowest proportion of respondents being those with a tenure of 6 to 12 months. This means organisations might be missing a key opportunity to engage newer hires, especially younger employees, who increasingly value purpose-driven work.
Lobo continued: “The issue of employees not engaging with availability opportunities lies in a combination of factors such as lack of clarity about policies, insufficient flexibility and limited cultural reinforcement. Your employees don’t have the right information about volunteering at work, so they aren’t getting involved. While the desire and resources to provide volunteering opportunities are there, encouraging your employees to make an impact requires a finer-tuned approach than just introducing a volunteering policy and expecting them to manage it themselves.
“As leaders, you need to celebrate employees who volunteer as this motivates and inspires others. Introducing flexible opportunities for your employees to do good when, where and how they want is important. And leading by example is key as well as ensuring a volunteering policy is clear. By prioritising these four checkpoints, you’ll boost your workplace volunteering scheme and close any disconnect between policy and practice.”
The full report is available to download here.
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About OnHand
OnHand is the all-in-one global CSR partner that helps companies drive real, measurable impact through volunteering, social good, and sustainability action.
In a world where 90% of employees are disengaged, OnHand helps companies boost engagement through purpose-driven social impact and sustainability action.
Unlike traditional platforms, OnHand combines cutting-edge technology with expert-led consultancy, ensuring organisations can engage employees, deliver on CSR commitments, and track meaningful progress—anywhere in the world.
With localised, pre-planned campaigns, a fully managed group volunteering service, and a global marketplace of impact opportunities, it is effortless for businesses to take action.
OnHand’s dedicated CSR specialists provide strategic guidance and seamless execution to align activities with corporate impact goals. Backed by real-time data and impact reporting, OnHand doesn’t just help companies do good — it helps them prove it.
