We know that finding time to support a cause close to your heart isn’t always easy. Life, more often than not, gets in the way of doing the things you know will make a difference to other people’s lives.
But fear not, for the Council’s Employee volunteering policy actually give you up to a day’s paid leave each year to carry out voluntary work with a charity, community group or other council services.
The best thing about it? Booking time off to lend a hand is super easy. To take advantage of the policy, which all council employees, regardless if you are frontline or back office, can benefit from.
All you need to do is:
- Identify an opportunity
- Speak to your line manager
- Log into My View – or download and fill in the application form
- On My View select ‘Request New Paid Leave’
- Choose ‘FC Community Volunteering’
- Wait for approval from your manager
- Bingo! Book out the day in your diary
And Bob’s your uncle, that’s you off to volunteer!
Why volunteer?
Volunteering gives you the feel-good factor and an amazing sense of purpose and achievement. It offers you the chance to connect with others, learn and share valuable skills and have a positive impact.
It’ll also give you an opportunity to stand in someone else’s shoes, helping you to understand different perspectives and make invaluable connections that will positively impact your life – and the organisation you choose to help.
Research has shown that volunteering also has a positive impact on mental and physical well-being. It can improve morale, reduce stress levels, and enhance work-life balance.
Volunteering also offers you a chance to have fun while making a positive difference.
Who is the policy aimed at?
It’s open to all permanent and temporary employees who are entitled to one day of paid volunteer leave per calendar year (pro-rata for part time). The program is flexible and considers your individual circumstances as well as the needs of the service you work for, with managers able to review requests on a case-by-case basis.
Can I choose which organisation to support?
Yes! You have the freedom to choose which charity, community organisation or Falkirk Council service you wish to support. All the policy asks for, is that your volunteering benefits the local community.
If you’re not sure who to support or where to find volunteering opportunities, visit CVS Falkirk.
Share your experience!
If you’ve benefitted from the policy in the past or are planning to use the hours provided to you through the policy, please let us know how you got on or what you intend to do.
Sharing is easy, simply post on Yammer or encourage other team mates to get take advantage of the policy at team meetings and use #volunteersweek