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Experienced in advising clients on the use of volunteers

Employers need to exercise caution when using unpaid volunteers, because if they are not careful volunteers can assume employment rights.

Our employment solicitors are very experienced in advising clients on the use of volunteers. We can assist clients in preparing volunteer agreements and in giving training in the use of volunteers.

Volunteers treated as employees

If a volunteer is treated like an employee, they might well become an employee with all the relevant appropriate employment rights by default.

It is therefore essential to ensure that they are not treated like employees and that if they receive any payment these are only for certain limited expenses. Whilst making a volunteer subject to disciplinary and grievance procedures might tip the balance in favour of their being employees, this does not mean that you cannot control volunteers’ behaviour when they are engaged by you.

“Rix & Kay regularly provides operational and strategic employment advice to corporate clients and SMEs, offering support for M&A transactions and advising directors and senior managers on settlement agreements. The firm also operates GatekeeperHR, an HR solution service built to assist a range of business sizes. Elaine Abbs is regarded as very knowledgeable and able to provide information and guidance and is always helpful and supportive”.

“We mainly use the services of Rix & Kay for Employment Law advice. In most circumstances, these situations develop quickly, and decisive action is required almost immediately. The advice provided has been prompt and accurate and has assisted us in diffusing disputes efficiently”.

“Elaine Abbs has been our main point of contact; she developed a training programme for Line Managers and delivered the training in house. This has helped tremendously in diffusing potential difficult situations”.

“Elaine Abbs is very knowledgeable and able to provide information and guidance and is always helpful and supportive. She instils confidence. She responds quickly and has a very approachable and friendly manner as well as professional”.

“Their willingness to help and, even if the enquiry is outside their remit, they will seek advice or point you in the right direction in a constructive and helpful way”.

Industry peers praise Rix & Kay in the latest edition of Legal 500

 

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