16.02.2026

A third of workers feel unsatisfied in their job

Disengagement in UK workplaces is mounting and it’s impacting employee’s performance; a new study finds.

The research commissioned by national volunteering organisation, Royal Voluntary Service suggests a growing sense of detachment among UK workers with nearly one in three (29%) now feeling disengaged. Thirty-one per cent go on to report feeling unsatisfied in their job and one fifth have considered quitting in the last year.

The findings come as Royal Voluntary Service launches GoVo for Business, the UK’s only charity-backed employee volunteering platform.

Developed thanks to players of People's Postcode Lottery, the new tech-for-good platform supports organisations to tackle key workforce challenges - including employee engagement, wellbeing and productivity - by enabling greater participation in volunteering, a proven, yet often overlooked intervention.

Designed in partnership with hundreds of charities, GoVo for Business aims to significantly grow uptake of workplace programmes (currently around one third of the given time is used) – to deliver measurable value for employees, businesses and communities - by making volunteering frictionless, flexible and more suited to modern life.

GoVo for Business opens to corporate users after launching to the public (GoVo.org) last year and at a time when UK employees say they are feeling under increasing stress. Key findings from the research suggest:

In the past year, 28 per cent of UK employees have become less productive, 34 per cent less engaged and 35 per cent less satisfied
34 per cent of workers feel stressed in their jobs and burnt out
Only 29 per cent of workers say their work feels meaningful, citing a lack of recognition for their effort or impact beyond performance (22 per cent) and high workloads making work feel purely task-orientated (22 per cent) as reasons.
More than six in 10 workers agree having an opportunity to use their skills and expertise for community benefit would increase job satisfaction (62 per cent) and engagement (63 per cent).

Sustainable business advocate, investor and Dragon’s Den star Deborah Meaden said: “Employee engagement and wellbeing are two of the major cornerstones of a well-functioning business yet can be the hardest to get right. There’s an easy win many employers are missing though: volunteering. It’s proven to improve wellbeing, build connection and skills, and deliver good things for society.

“However simply offering volunteering days isn’t enough - organisations must actively support and make it easy for teams to take them. With so many vital causes needing our help, employee volunteering is an unparalleled opportunity for businesses to make a real difference both inside and outside the organisation.”

Businesses have significant potential to support civil society and deliver organisational benefits through volunteering, yet historically employers have often struggled to implement effective programmes and 140 million hours went unused last year. GoVo for Business aims to change that.

Carole Urey, Chief Revenue Officer, Royal Voluntary Service said: “Disconnected and disengaged employees can be costly for employers. These feelings not only reduce productivity but can impact brand reputation and retention. Volunteering through workplace programmes is a proven way to improve wellbeing, connection and productivity, whilst contributing to society. It’s a win, win.

“But despite good intentions, millions of employee volunteering hours are going unused each year, because employers struggle to find suitable opportunities or don’t have the resource to manage the process. GoVo for Business breaks down these barriers and unlocks workplace volunteering at scale - delivering greater value for businesses, their people and society.”

GoVo for Business launches against a backdrop of a projected three million volunteer shortfall in the charity sector and heightened expectations for businesses to evidence social value. Available on a tiered pricing model – with all commercial income reinvested into the platform's development and RVS’s community services - GoVo for Business users benefit from:

Access to thousands of volunteering opportunities – 400 in every postcode - with causes of all sizes, both local and national
Simplified management with built-in tools for tracking participation and reporting impact.
Seamless and secure employee access with Single Sign On (SSO)
Diverse and flexible volunteering roles – remote, in-person, skills-based, adhoc tasks and micro-volunteering – to fit around work commitments
Easy-set-up team days and group volunteering activities

GoVo for Business forms the digital heart of Royal Voluntary Service’s proprietary volunteering system, the Impact Stack, which supports organisations to embed a culture of volunteering. Other modules include expert consultancy and curated activities to help organisations maximise the impact of GoVo across their business.

www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/business

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