Following a nationwide investigation, businesses have been warned that they can no longer disguise employees as ‘volunteers’. While the Labour Inspectorate is supportive of genuine volunteering, they have concerns around some volunteering that may stray into an employment relationship.
George Mason of the Labour Inspectorate says “Businesses cannot evade their obligations as employers by calling their workers volunteers and then rewarding them with a bed, food and Wi-Fi rather than a fair wage. This practice is unfair to businesses that follow the law and pay their employees.”
For more information view The Labour Inspectorate position statement on Work In A Business Operation Without Payment of Wages.
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