Overview

Disclaimer: This article is general information only, not legal advice. If you are unsure, always consult with a legal professional regarding your needs.

Unlike paid staff, volunteers are not covered by awards or work-place agreements. Volunteers, however, do have rights, some which are enshrined in legislation and some which could be considered the moral obligations of an organisation involving volunteers.

Volunteer Rights & Responsibilities

Volunteer Rights:

• To work in a healthy and safe environment, as per Work Health & Safety (WH&S) laws.
• To be interviewed and engaged in accordance with equal opportunity and anti-discrimination legislation.
• To be adequately covered by insurance.
• To be given accurate and truthful information about the organisation for which you are working.
• To be reimbursed for approved out of pocket expenses.
• To be given a copy of the organisations volunteer policy and any other policy that affects your work.
• Not to fill a position previously held by a paid worker.
• Not to do the work of paid staff during industrial disputes.
• To have a job description and agreed working hours.
• To have access to a grievance procedure.
• To be provided with orientation to the organisation.
• To have your confidential and personal information dealt within accordance with the principles of the Privacy Act 1988.
• To be provided with sufficient training to do your job.

Volunteer Responsibilities:

• Make an informed decision to work as a volunteer with an agency.
• Undertake work orientation and training as required.
• Work within the duty statement on tasks suitable to their skills and experience.
• Behave in an ethical manner.
• Keep agency and client matters confidential.
• Be committed to the agency’s aims and objectives.
• Inform the agency when unable to undertake or complete a task.
• Use appropriate information channels within an agency when needing information, support, back-up, supervision or review.
• Be aware of the limits of their role within the agency.
• Be aware of their duty of care.
• Be aware of occupational health and safety policies and practices.
• Act as a member of the team.
• Be aware of protocol when representing the agency.
• Commit to achieving results and make an effective contribution to the agency

Organisation Rights & Responsibilities

Organisation Rights:

• Expect volunteers to adhere to their Job Descriptions.
• Negotiate work assignments with their volunteers
• Ask that the volunteer is loyal to their organisation.
• To say 'No' to the volunteer if they are not suitable for the position.
• To dismiss volunteers if appropriate.

Organisation Responsibilities:

• To interview/screen and check all applicants as per organisational policies and procedures.
• Select the best volunteer for the job.
• Evaluate volunteers on a regular basis.
• Encourage clear and open communications from the volunteer.
• Provide a safe and healthy working space for volunteers.
• Offer volunteers training and support in their roles.