The reflection by the Archdiocese’s Pastoral Commission for Work on how voluntary work correlates with the labour sphere, advocating cooperation between employers and employees in voluntary work initiatives, delves into a concept that is somewhat new for these islands.

Voluntary work itself is strong and healthy in Maltese society. It is mainly inspired by the Maltese heritage of Christian values, which encourages people to yearn for the sense of voluntary work so that, apart from earning their keep, they become more generous by seeking terms on how to improve the life of those who are in a poorer state. Indeed, mirroring the deep insight the Church in Malta has in this area, the Pastoral Commission for Work pointed out that volunteers, more than finding time to spare, actually boast a heart that aches to help out their brethren who happen to be in need.

The sense of generosity is also very present among many entrepreneurs and employers. There are quite a few companies that, to their credit, make handsome donations to charitable initiatives and provide sponsorships for good cause projects. Moreover, employers know as much as anyone else that, besides serving to relieve those who are receiving the service, voluntary work also proves beneficial to those who are doing the work and those who support them to do it. Yet, how many employers took the much admirable and valuable initiative of somehow assisting their employees to engage in voluntary work, particularly in projects in aid of the most vulnerable? It is possible this matter does not feature on the agenda of many an HR department.

The Church commission points out that in other countries voluntary work is constantly evolving and one meets terms like corporate volunteering, employer support or workplace volunteering. However, it rightly notes, such terms are still not so familiar here.

There are employers seeking ways to address the rising expectation that business should act responsibly. This awareness is leading the relationship between business and the voluntary sector to move on, from asking for and donating money or material objects to seeing the value in forming strategic partnerships that benefit all parties involved.

Such projects are normally a planned, managed effort that seeks to motivate and enable employees to effectively volunteer under the sponsorship and leadership of the employer. The target is usually effective and sustainable employer-supported volunteer programmes that meet company priorities, address employee interests and target real community needs.

The common aim is that workers perform voluntary work in the community under some form of support and encouragement by their employers. Initiatives may include, for instance, employee volunteer programmes that, unlike financial donations and in-kind support, allow companies to foster a more personal link to the community by sharing its human resources with organisations in need of support.

Many companies with employer supported volunteer programmes are learning that encouraging their employees to volunteer is good for the individual, for the community and for business itself. Their employees are proud to work for them, potential employees want to join them, customers feel good about buying from them and strategic partners welcome them to their area.

Hence, the appeal launched by the Pastoral Commission for Work, encouraging employers to take the opportunity of this year dedicated to voluntary work to reflect and study the realities of the employer-employee partnership in voluntary work, with a view to possibly implement same at their workplace, deserves to be supported.