Volunteer Position

[cassa333]

If you have a job spec and job discription for a position within a charity, can you appoint a volunteer using the spec and discription or are you supposed to have something different ?

For instance we have volunteers that man the reception desk and I say they should have the same specifications and work schedual as if we were paying them.

Thanks

[EDDIE51]

Not sure of the legal position but as they are not paid I do not think they can be classed as 'employees'. Only my opinion, open to correction.

[Peter Pedant]

I think it is a sensible idea,
at least they know where they are

[EDDIE51]

^^ Much as I thought volunteers 'can not have a contract of employment'

[pastafreak]

We use quite a few volunteers...working in the kitchen is required,and we try to make use of any other skills they may have. We do not demand a set number of hours,but a certain level of reliability and commitment is needed. Eventually each volunteer will work a schedule of hours that are convenient for them. So...some may work just 2.5 hours,another may work a full day,several times per week. We can't really make demands as that would defeat the definition of volunteer.

[boxtops]

A job spec is an extremely good idea. They are after all unpaid "workers" so are bound by the same rules of responsibility and confidentiality, etc., as employees are. Volunteers need their boundaries and responsibilities clearly delineated, too.

[Maydup]

The job spec and description can be similar but must be worded in such a way that it does not imply a contractual arrangement.

Work schedules are a no, no. The volunteer has to volunteer their time ie at a time to suit them. You can steer them into volunteering when you need them but you cannot be strict with shifts. Get too close to the treatment of the paid employees and they will be entitled to minimum wage.

[boxtops]

Well maydup..... when I've worked with volunteers (and indeed I am one myself), we work to a rota, subject to our availability - so the organisation CAN stipulate hours of work required, and the volunteers slot into that.

[maggiebee]

Yes Maydup and they may be entitled to redundancy payment, as a large charity found out to their cost last year.

[buildersmate]

Oh dear, some clarification required.
Volunteers do not have contracts of employment, as both those classified as either `employees` or `workers`. These terms have specific meanings and differences in employment law. Methyls link makes this clear. So volunteer agreements are a good idea, but they don't establish employment.
The other comment has to be just plain wrong so I would challenge maggieb to provide the evidence. I do not see how volunteers can be made redundant or be entitled to any redundancy payment. I suspect you are getting confused with charities getting into hot water by dismissing paid staff and substituting th with volunteers.