INSURANCE firm Zurich, which employs around 600 people in Swindon, is increasing the number of days its employees can carry out voluntary work from one to three in a year as part of its commitment to the community.

Employees can use their three days to volunteer for one of the charities supported by Zurich Community Trust (ZCT), or volunteer with any organisation with which they have a personal relationship.

Through ZCT’s volunteering programme employees are able to volunteer by sharing their time and skills either on one project or on a more regular basis.

Steve Collinson, head of UK HR, said: “Our people tell us that our commitment to the community is one of the key aspects of working for Zurich that they really value.

“This increase in volunteering leave reflects that commitment and will help us continue to attract and retain the best people while at the same time giving back to the community and helping improve the lives of others.”

Zurich also encourages its employees to support the community by, in particular, making donations to Zurich Community Trust to fund its grants programmes in the UK and overseas, through its payroll giving scheme.

The insurer renewed its focus on payroll giving at the beginning of the year, leading to an increase in take-up from 17% to 25% of employees, with one in four employees now signed up to the scheme.

Mr Collinson added: “We’re delighted to see an increase in payroll giving in recent months and we’re very grateful to our employees for their continued generosity, enabling us to help others who are less fortunate and a make real difference in the community.

In 2017 UK employees volunteered over 4,500 days through ZCT brokered activity and raised over £350,000 for the ZCT’s Zurich Cares programme to help fund community organisations across the UK and overseas.

In 2017 UK employees raised over £130,000 through payroll programme, with donations funding community organisations across the UK and overseas.