National Employer Supported Volunteering (ESV) Framework

Employer Supported Volunteering (ESV) is when employers actively enable and encourage staff to volunteer their time and skills. Often referred to as employee volunteering, corporate volunteering, or workplace volunteering, ESV plays a key role in strengthening connections between employers, employees, and communities.

The National ESV Framework has been developed in partnership with the Scottish Government and a wide range of sector partners to provide clear, practical guidance that supports meaningful, inclusive, and impactful ESV across Scotland. It is designed to help employers, employees, and volunteer‑involving organisations (VIOs) navigate their ESV journey—whether you’re just getting started or looking to enhance existing activity.

Explore the topics below for strategic direction, guidance on building an ESV programme, examples of good practice, ways to make the most of ESV hours, and routes to local and national support.

Our ESV Toolboxes

Each of our toolboxes is designed to support the development of inclusive, engaging, and impactful employer supported volunteering programmes and opportunities in Scotland. They bring together the latest research on ESV in Scotland, alongside existing guidance and practical case studies.

Third Sector Interface ESV Support

Scotland’s network of Third Sector Interfaces (TSIs) plays a central role in connecting employers, employees and local voluntary organisations. Many TSIs offer brokerage, guidance and locally tailored support to help organisations and individuals explore and deliver ESV.

Using your ESV hours

National digital platforms provide accessible routes into volunteering, helping employees, employers and teams use ESV hours meaningfully. They support individuals seeking opportunities and organisations coordinating team activities and delivering valuable outcomes.

Employer Supported Volunteering Pledge

As part of the launch of the national framework to Employer Supported Volunteering (ESV), organisations and individuals are invited to make a simple pledge to support the growth of volunteering through the workplace.

Principles & Quality Standards

Principles and Quality Standards provide a strong foundation for employers delivering an ESV programme, helping create safe, inclusive and well‑managed volunteering that supports staff, strengthens impact and enhances organisational reputation.

ESV Development Network

As interest in Employer Suppoted Volunteering grows, Volunteer Scotland is creating a national ESV Development Network to unite VIOs, TSIs and employers to share learning, test ideas and shape national guidance that supports high‑quality ESV practice.

Our ESV Toolboxes

Our ESV Toolboxes provide practical guidance, tools and real‑life stories to support employees, employers and volunteer‑involving organisations to get the most from employee‑supported volunteering.

For Employees

This toolbox provides guidance, information and support for employees who want to make the most of their volunteering hours.

For Employers

This toolbox provides practical guidance and templates to support employers to develop and manage effective ESV programmes.

For Volunteer Involving Organisations

This toolkit provides practical guidance and templates to support volunteer-involving organisations to host employee volunteers and build successful partnerships with employers.