Rights and Responsibilities

Modified on Mon, 07 Aug 2023 at 09:52 AM

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

Volunteer Rights & Volunteer Responsibilities

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:

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 & Organisation 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.