Dear list members,
I wonder if any one can share experiences or shed light on the following
matter which concerns legislation around volunteers.
An archive organisation is in the process of starting a major project
which involves offering a series of structured volunteer training schemes
and subsequent volunteering opportunities.
The organisation is currently neither a charity nor a statutory body and
has been advised by its HR consultancy that there is a grey area in HMRC
intended to discourage exploitation of 'work experience' or 'intern'types.
Although the risk is minimal to non-existent, the HR advisers have
raised a concern that having volunteers puts the organisation at risk of
running foul of the law, and potentially being sued by volunteers claiming
that they are in fact workers.
The organisation in question has everything standard in place to ensure
that this would not happen - non-legal volunteer agreements, expenses only
paid on receipt,volunteer policites, role descriptions.
It is trying to amass a sufficient weight of evidence to put to its
governing body to reassure it that the risk is being well managed and is
not something that should prevent it taking on volunteers for the project.
If anyone can offer any evidence that might help support the
organisation's case, I would be very grateful to hear from you.
All the best
Katie Norgrove
Cultural Consulting Network
E: [log in to unmask]
T: 07919 140747
W: www.culturalconsulting.net
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