Volunteers are very useful to charities, and having them can be mutually beneficial. The key to the status of volunteer is that there is no mutuality of obligation.

Charities need to be aware of the way expenses are paid, hours are decided problems are dealt with and the language used in documentation. Organisations also owe volunteers a common law duty of care that they will be reasonably safe in their premises, as they do to all visitors.

Getting it wrong can cause serious financial consequences if the organisation inadvertently creates a situation where a person who joined as a volunteer becomes an employee with statutory rights. Our experience can help you avoid this.

Contact Charity Law Department or Employment Law Department at Harris + Harris