Volunteers are not using skills in placements, employers told

Employers have been urged to put more emphasis on sending skilled volunteers to charities as part of CSR initiatives, rather than overloading them with unskilled people. Professional fundraiser Workplace Giving UK said it had noticed that companies in the recession are increasingly likely to give staff time off for volunteering, as opposed to giving money direct to charities via fundraising. But what charities really need is skilled volunteers, while unskilled volunteers can even be a hindrance, said the organisation.