Each year, employees can take:
- 2 paid individual volunteering days (pro-rata for part-time employees)
- 2 paid team volunteering days
There is no volunteering entitlement for temporary agency workers or interim workers.
What your paid volunteering days can be used for
You must not use your paid volunteering days to volunteer for a political party. Other than this, your volunteering days can be used for any type of volunteering, either within the council or externally.
However, any volunteering activities must comply with our code of conduct and not conflict with your role or the interests of the council.
Certain types of volunteering may qualify for additional time off. This includes volunteering for a public service such as a school governor or a special constable. More information on taking time off for certain duties and services to the community can be found in our information on leave for personal development.
You can find out more about our volunteering rules and principles in the employee volunteering policy (PDF, 4.07 MB).
Booking volunteering days
All paid volunteering days must be agreed with your line manager and should be planned around business needs.
Once approved, you should book your leave in My Oracle under either ‘individual volunteering' or 'team volunteering'.
Expenses
If you are expected to attend team volunteering activities, you may be able to claim back expenses.
Expenses for individual volunteering days will not be covered. However, you can check with the host organisation to see if they cover any expenses.
Finding volunteering opportunities
We support the invaluable contribution that volunteers provide and have a wide range of volunteering opportunities on the Essex County Council website.
You can search for local opportunities or contact an organisation you wish to volunteer with.
Team volunteering can be carried out as a team building activity whilst contributing to a community project.
If you are interested in volunteering or working with volunteers, you can join the council's volunteer community network.
Health and safety during volunteering
You are responsible for your safety during any individual volunteering activities. You should take care not to put yourself at risk and check the host organisation is suitably insured.
Risk assessments must be completed where necessary for team volunteering activities.