Extending a helping hand: Cadent volunteering scheme continues to assist national coronavirus effort
As National Volunteering Week got underway Cadent announced a scheme providing extra paid leave to staff helping out their local communities will be extended by a further two months.
Delivering gas to 11 million homes and businesses in North West England, the Midlands, South Yorkshire, East of England and the North London area, Cadent has confirmed its 4,000 employees will continue to be offered two days of additional paid volunteer leave a month through June and July 2020 to volunteer to help out in the national coronavirus effort.
The scheme was launched back in April as an initial two month programme in response to the pandemic and the extension means Cadent volunteers can continue to support local organisations, such as foodbanks. The scheme could see up to 16,000 volunteering days delivered by Cadent staff to support local organisations in June and July.
Cadent Chief People Officer Martin Rimmer said: “The scheme has been a great success with employees helping out with things such as delivering food and medicines.
“We considered the success of the scheme so far along with operational factors and the latest government advice and decided we’d keep it going for a further two months.”
He added: “As a community facing company with engineers and support staff out and about 24-7, helping out in this way is a very natural fit for us.”
Cadent Director of Customer Strategy Mark Belmega said: “Volunteering goes above and beyond our regulatory commitments; it’s not just about being responsible, it’s about being a good business and making a real and sustainable difference to the communities we support.
“And right now, more than ever, the additional efforts of our colleagues are vitally needed as the UK deals with the COVID-19 pandemic.”
He added: “Our volunteering doesn’t just stop once the COVID-19 pandemic ends.
“From April 1st 2021 we’ve made a commitment as part of the RIIO-2 business plan that during the five years from 2021-2026 at least 60% of Cadent employees will volunteer for at least one day to support a community scheme.”
The scheme is in addition to the new statutory Employee Volunteering Leave brought in by the Coronavirus Act 2020, which is targeted at workers who have suitable medical or social care skills and experience and can support health and social care organisations.
Public safety is the company’s top priority and extra precautions are being taken during the coronavirus pandemic to ensure both customers and employees remain safe.
