Royal Voluntary Service calls on UK employers to double volunteering hours as workplace morale declines

UK charity Royal Voluntary Service has launched its 100 Million Hour Movement, urging employers to double employee volunteering hours from 50 million to 100 million by the end of 2028, positioning structured volunteering as a practical lever for addressing declining workforce morale. The campaign carries direct relevance for HR professionals and people managers responsible for employee engagement and workplace culture strategies.

As reported by Facilitate Magazine, research conducted by the charity found that nearly half of UK workers, 49%, describe workplace morale as either low or neutral, with one in five stating their morale has worsened over the past year. The leading factors affecting morale include workload pressures (29%), lack of recognition (21%), poor work-life balance (18%), cost-cutting or salary freezes (16%), and lack of purpose in work (14%).

Community pressures are also having an impact on workplace culture, with 42% of workers reporting that division and challenges in their communities have affected team relationships, rising to 64% among 18 to 24-year-olds and 58% among 25 to 34-year-olds.

Carole Urey, chief revenue officer at Royal Voluntary Service, said: "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."

The charity is calling on employers to pledge three steps: senior leaders volunteering and actively promoting workplace programmes; opening volunteering up more widely, given that only a third of UK workers are currently offered volunteering time; and providing clear guidance and simple sign-up pathways.

Beth Dowson, partner and community action co-lead at UK and Ireland law firm Browne Jacobson, said the pledge reflects the firm's commitment to expanding its community impact and encouraging more colleagues to get involved.

Explore the full campaign details and employer pledge.