Ask an expert - Implications of Volenteers

Q: What are the legal implications of taking someone on as a volunteer? Would we need to issue a contract of employment and offer them a nominal salary?

A: Volunteers provide their time and effort completely freely; the main legal implication of using the services of a volunteer is ensuring that he or she does not become an employee if that is not your intention.

Labelling them on paper as volunteers will not necessarily be enough to argue successfully that they are not employed. If you issue a contract of employment and give them an annual salary, they will most certainly not be volunteers.

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