Differentiating Between Employee & Volunteer Work

Setting clear guidelines between volunteers and paid employees can benefit your organization in multiple ways. The definitions of these roles seem straightforward enough, but boundaries are often crossed in daily operations.

When these positions are not properly described, you could experience problems ranging from low morale to disputes to challenges from governmental agencies. Controversy and lawsuits could result. Here are suggestions for differentiating between volunteers and employees.  Also, you might want to read an excellent blog post by Tobi Johnson of Tobi Johnson & Associates and VolunteerPro, which goes into more detail on the topic.

Expand Services Without Replacing Staff

Sometimes volunteers and employees perform the same roles, such as delivering meals to clients. However, a key difference in these roles is that volunteers should supplement employee duties. They support but do not replace employees. An example of amplified services is using volunteers to deliver meals during evenings and weekends. 

Sometimes volunteers offer specialized work that undergirds staff work. Examples include web design and editorial services. Another way they can strengthen nonprofit services is through offering nonprofessional duties that free paid staff up for specialized responsibilities.

Create Flexible Schedules

Employees usually have set working schedules. Volunteers, on the other hand, may have a full-time job elsewhere, and fit volunteer time around that position. Volunteers may be students or retirees. Whatever their life situation, volunteers usually need and expect more flexibility with their scheduling. They are donating their time, and some elasticity in their schedules is one way you can compensate them. Certainly, there are other ways you can show appreciation as well. 

About VIS

Volunteers Insurance Service Association, Inc. (VIS) was established in 1972 for the purpose of providing insurance and risk management services for volunteer-based organizations. In addition to still providing these insurance services today on a nationwide scale, we have expanded to provide noninsurance resources for members to manage their risks and improve their operations. By transferring the volunteer risk exposure to our program, we can help you protect your organization. Contact us today at (800) 222-8920 for more information on our programs and services. Join now!