Reap the benefits of allowing staff to volunteer

Dave Hancock, head of education and volunteering at BT, highlighted the benefits for employees when employers give them encouragement and support to use and develop their skills outside the workplace through volunteering (Soapbox, 4 September).

Reach Volunteering agrees this is a great opportunity. We’re a UK charity that finds rewarding and challenging voluntary opportunities for people with senior management, business and career experience who want to broaden their experience and give something back to the community. We also work with companies to develop and run internal skilled volunteering schemes for staff.
 

It’s untenable to have a normal retirement age in public-sector schemes that is significantly different from the state retirement age

Brian Bailey, Director of pensions, West Midlands Pension Fund and member of High Pay Commission