Employment law question.

[cassa333]

I am doing an NVQ in business studies and am stumped on this section. If anyone can give me any pointers I would be grateful.

I have a basic understanding of employment rights but am stumped on rights of employment when a volunteer.

As you are not a paid employess do you actualy have any employment rights?

Thank you

[bednobs]

we "employ" volunteers in the place where i work - they have to sign a contract before commencing, so that gives them rights. They also have the right to access training and do the stautory training

[padanarm]

If you're a volunteer then you have no statutory employment rights (statutory - imposed by law). No pay, no holidays, no sickness rights, no maternity rights.

The only rights you may have would be as a visitor to the workplace - so health and safety - and human rights - so anti-discrimination.

There may be a contract between volunteer and the organisation which may set out the terms of attendance and notice. Any agreement can de ended by mutual agreement or disagreement.

Interesting article from Daily Mail on the WRVS Sandwich Stasi.

Hope that helps.

[Richard1966]

Volunteers have no legal rights, only those provided by the host organization. Having volunteers sign an agreement is a gray area legally as this could form a contract and despite no pay, create an employment contract which could be tested at employment tribunal. The charity I work with has had a couple of cases go to ET where volunteers have become unhappy with local management. One case was thrown out as it was decided no employment situation existed, in another the tribunal stated that a contract did exist but dismissed the substance of the case.

We now have very strict guidance on working with volunteers, which means we must at all times tread very very carefully.