Sound judgement and effective decision-making are among the top qualities that HR and recruitment leaders see in people who volunteer as magistrates, research has shown.
A Ministry of Justice-commissioned survey found that many organisations feel encouraging employees to volunteer as magistrates is an effective way for employers to give back to society, and help employees develop skills that can be beneficial to their business.
The MoJ recently launched a recruitment drive for 4,000 more magistrates across England and Wales.
It claimed that the voluntary role can easily be fulfilled along full-time employment; magistrates are expected to appear in court for a minimum of 13 days per year for at least five years, and will undergo training that can be completed on weekends.
Of the 515 recruitment or staffing decision-makers polled by YouGov, 89% say employees who volunteer as magistrates display sound judgement, while 81% say they are effective decision-makers.
The MoJ said magistrates are also trained to develop skills that can be applied in a business setting, such as critical analysis, complex problem solving, mediation and influencing.
Respondents agreed the potential business benefits of having magistrates among the workforce include the ability for organisations to show a commitment to local communities (43%) and to demonstrate their “social conscience” (41%).
However, the MoJ is concerned that misconceptions about magistracy are preventing employers from encouraging and permitting staff to sign up. Only two-thirds of HR and recruitment leaders know what a magistrate does, and more than half (56%) wrongly believe they are required in court for more than 13 days per year.
Under the Employment Rights Act 1996, employers must permit employees who are magistrates to take time off during working hours to perform their duties. The amount of time off they are entitled to is not unlimited; the Act says that it is limited to whatever is reasonable, taking into account how much time off the employer has already allowed them to take off; the circumstances of the employer’s business; and the effect of the magistrate’s absence on the business.
It is at the employer’s discretion whether leave for magistracy duties this is paid or unpaid, but many employers grant paid time off for at least some of a magistrate’s sitting days, the MoJ said.
Encouraging our employees to become magistrates means they gain insight into local community issues and valuable new skills to boost their career with us.” – Sarah Findlater, M&S
Deputy prime minister and justice secretary Dominic Raab said: “Encouraging your employees to fulfil the vital voluntary role of a magistrate is not only a powerful way to show your commitment to them and your local community but it makes good business sense.
“Magistrates enjoy excellent training and develop a wide range of highly valued skills that can help to boost their career and your business. Supporting volunteer magistrates can help you attract and retain talent whilst delivering improved job satisfaction.
“We are calling on employers to back this recruitment drive for more magistrates – it’s good for your people, your organisation and your community. Your support will help enable magistrates to play an even greater role in serving swift justice for our society.”
Marks & Spencer and BAE Systems are among the employers that have supported staff to become magistrates.
M&S HR director Sarah Findlater said: “At M&S, we take pride in supporting the communities we serve. Encouraging our employees to become magistrates means they gain insight into local community issues and valuable new skills to boost their career with us. We would encourage all employers to provide time for people to act as magistrates as it gives back to society, supports colleague development and is good for business.”
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Janet Garner, BAE Systems’ head of HR and skills and academy principal, said allowing staff to take time off for this type of public service volunteering provides “a unique opportunity to develop their skills, experience and knowledge which helps their career development”.
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