Corporate volunteering: when employees get involved

A new way to get involved

Skills-based volunteering and pro bono work are booming in France. Many large companies now offer employee volunteering schemes to their staff.

Why do companies get involved?

The motivations are many:

• Corporate social responsibility (CSR): demonstrating a positive commitment to society
• Attractiveness: young talent looks for employers with a social purpose
• Team cohesion: collective missions strengthen bonds between colleagues
• Skills development: associations are unique environments for experimentation

The legal framework

The law allows companies to second their employees to associations. This can take several forms:

• Solidarity day: one or more days per year dedicated to an association
• Skills secondment: a longer-term placement of an expert employee
• Regular engagement: a few hours per week during working hours

Benefits for everyone

For associations

Access to professional skills (marketing, legal, IT, finance) that are often out of reach due to budget constraints.

For employees

Personal fulfilment, a sense of purpose, development of soft skills, and often a genuine breath of fresh air from their day-to-day professional routine.

For companies

An improved brand image, stronger employee loyalty, and a concrete contribution to the social and environmental challenges of their community.

How to set up a programme

1. Survey your employees to understand their interests and availability
2. Identify partner associations that align with the company's values
3. Define a clear framework (time allocated, approval process, follow-up)
4. Communicate internally to encourage participation
5. Measure the impact and recognise contributions

Corporate volunteering is not a passing trend — it is a profound transformation of the relationship between the business world and civil society. A transformation we need now more than ever.