Supporting our people with voluntary work

As a company, JCW encourages our staff to consider taking up charitable activities out side of work. We also understand the importance of voluntary work to our people, and we know that this can take place at the weekend and as well as during the week. For this reason, JCW has introduced a Employer Supported Volunteering (ESV) programme and have made it our policy to promote and support our staff’s involvement in voluntary activities. Any unpaid commitment of time and energy, for the benefit of society, the community and the environment, undertaken freely by our staff, is rewarded with time off, as paid leave.

We believe this voluntary day allowance can bring many benefits to the community, as well as the individual’s mental wellbeing. It offers a personal and professional development opportunity for staff such as connecting with like-minded people, team bonding, developing skills and interests and boosting morale.

Here are some reasons why the ESV were introduced:

In supporting employees' personal interests and social responsibility, we are hoping to significantly boost employee morale and sense of achievement.
We feel that by giving “free” days for employees to contribute to causes they care about, employers can foster a deeper sense of engagement among their workforce. We hope this help employees feel more motivated and committed to their work.
Charitable and voluntary activities can help build a positive culture centered around giving back to the community. This creates a sense of unity, teamwork, and shared values within our company.
Volunteering has been shown to have numerous benefits for mental and physical well-being. By allowing employees to engage in volunteering, employers can contribute to their overall health and happiness.
Varied voluntary work can often contribute to individuals development of new skills or enhance existing ones. By participating in charitable work, employees can gain valuable experience that may be transferable to their professional roles, benefiting both the individual and the company.

Since the policy was introduced, we have had a Fabric Engineer from our Ipswich office give his time towards the organisation of a MenWalkTalk event, a community initiative to support men's mental health. Also our Engineer Supervisor from the same office volunteers with the Scouts, who help young people gain important life skills.

As a company we see this ESV day as a win-win situation for both us and our staff. It not only promotes a positive workplace culture but also contributes to employee well-being, engagement, and skills development, all while making a positive impact on society.