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The Volunteers Charter
Stations are often accused of exploiting volunteers. Here is the charter that volunteers can expect to work to; if your station doesn't agree then leave.
Volunteering is a fantastic way to get into radio, and working for free is the route that many people used to get their first job.
Whilst the offer of a voluntary placement can seem too good to turn down, you need to be realistic before you agree to take up the opportunity. Radio stations are commercial entities, and they sell advertising to make the money to run the station. By offering to work for free you could be simply reducing their costs and letting them make more profit.
The charter below sets out a few basic rights you have as a volunteer in a radio station. Most of them are common sense, but if the organisation you are working with doesn't seem to be abiding by them then it is probably time to get out. There is no point volunteering for eight months at a company that won't give you a job at the end of it.
- Volunteers should have an agreed finish date, which should be agreed before the placement starts. After this time, the organisation may continue to use the volunteer as a paid freelancer.
- Volunteers should have agreed hours and dates. There should be no pressure on the volunteer to exceed these hours or work additional dates. Volunteers should not be expected to work unsociable hours.
- Volunteers should only be there to work-shadow or provide additional assistance. They should not be used where paid staff would otherwise be needed.
- Volunteers should have a named person that they report to. The volunteer should have regular access to this person and they should ensure that the volunteer is given adequate support.
- Volunteers should have appropriate instruction in the tasks that they are asked to perform. These tasks must be within any training or experience that the volunteer has received.
- Volunteers should be protected against exploitation of their interests, both as volunteers and individuals.
- Volunteers should not be put under pressure to undertake work that is against their principles.
- Volunteers should be adequately protected against any risks involved in volunteering - the organisation should have adequate public liability. Risk-assessments must be carried out on volunteers in the same way that they would be carried out for regular employees.
- Volunteers should not use their own motor vehicles as this could jeopardise their car insurance.
- Volunteers should the same expenses as regular employees. They should also be provided with all the materials/equipment/tools to enable them to carry out their tasks.
- There should be an opportunity for volunteers to use and develop their skills and talents.
- Volunteers should be recognised for any period of work they undertook. The organisation must be prepared to provide a written reference or agree to act as referee at a later stage.