Step 9:

Appoint a suitable paid or volunteer worker but only after receiving a satisfactory Disclosure check.

It is important to remember that the relationship between an organisation and an employee is governed by a legally binding contract of employment whereas the relationship between an organisation and volunteers is usually viewed as a mutually beneficial relationship which is not legally binding.

Contracts for paid workers are usually set down in formal letters of appointment which summarise key terms and conditions and the rights and responsibilities of the organisation and the employee.

For volunteers, Volunteer Development Scotland advocates the use of a written statement called a Volunteer Agreement which both the volunteer and the organisation sign once they have agreed to work with each other.

It is important to understand that this is not and should not be presented to a volunteer as a contractual agreement.

Guidance given on “agreements” in a briefing paper published in Volunteering Matters in Scotland (Volunteer Development Scotland, April 1998) states that:

“In reviewing any existing agreements, words with contractual connotations and language of mutual obligations should be avoided. Instead the agreement should set out “intentions” recalling “policies” and expressing hopes, and not use any more binding language than this.”
(Issue No. 7, Volunteering Matters).

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