The government is calling for employers to actively promote and support the voluntary role of magistrates within their workforce.
They are being encouraged to support their staff in balancing personal and judicial duties, as well as add the magistracy to volunteering policies or CSR guidance for staff.
The appeal comes from Crown Dependencies Minister Lord Ponsonby following research that highlights almost two thirds of hiring personnel agree that volunteering as a magistrate benefits both employee and employer.
Despite this, less than half of 2,000 bosses surveyed in a recruitment campaign by the Ministry of Justice, say their organisation actively encourages staff to volunteer to sit on the bench.
The appeal is part of a renewed drive to encourage and enable more people to volunteer for the magistracy and ensure it represents the community it serves. Being a magistrate, they say, is a flexible, part-time voluntary role that can fit around other commitments, including full-time work.
It’s important that magistrates come from all walks of life and that the bench reflects the society we serve
Lizzie Smith, Director of Workforce at NHS England and an advocate of the scheme, said: “Magistrates in our workforce bring transferable skills that they can use in their day-to-day role too – from critical thinking and being able to manage tricky situations, to being able to see things from another point of view.
“Taking on the voluntary role also demonstrates a commitment to serving society and making a difference, which is why we value the role so much in staff and new recruits. I would really encourage other business and organisations to raise the profile of the role within their workforce.”
Lord Ponsonby said: “It’s important that magistrates come from all walks of life and that the bench reflects the society we serve. Employers play an important part in enabling working people to sit as magistrates, which is why we’re calling on them today to raise the profile of this positive voluntary role within their organisation.”
In the next year, the Ministry of Justice is looking to recruit up to 2,000 new magistrates from all walks of life. There are currently 14,576 magistrates in post in England and Wales.
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