Charity Employment
Charities attract passionate individuals, but this passion can lead to issues in the workplace. Pearcelegal can help you to protect your charity while ensuring workers and volunteers are treated fairly.
From schools and scout groups to conservation and churches, we have helped a range of charitable organisations with employment law issues and disputes. Build and grow your team with confidence knowing that Pearcelegal will help you stay on the right side of the law.
Around 827,000 people work for charities in the UK. The charitable sector is required to uphold the same employment laws as any other sector. Operating in the public eye can make this an even bigger challenge. With a diverse team of full-time, part-time and volunteer workers, it is important to be astute with employment contracts to ensure everyone knows where they stand. While volunteers may not have an employment contract, a charity will still have a duty of care. We can help you to navigate the complex field of charity employment law so you can manage your teams with confidence.
Charity employment disputes
Any organisation is capable of employment disputes, even charitable ventures. By maintaining robust and up-to-date employment contracts and discipline procedures, you can protect against common workplace disputes. If a dispute does arise, we can provide representation to protect your legal interests and enable your charity to continue changing the world for the better. We can assist with:
Misconduct and disciplinary measures
Dismissals
Redundancies
Maternity and paternity leave
Dispute resolution
Our team includes employment, commercial, charity and dispute resolution solicitors. We are here to help charities and nonprofits manage their employees and volunteers through clear contracts and employee code of conduct.
Frequently asked questions
Do volunteers have employment rights?
No, volunteers should not have a contract of employment, otherwise, they would need to be paid minimum wage. As there is no employment contract, volunteers do not have employment rights. Many charities will choose to have a volunteer agreement that sets out what is expected of them.
Do charities have to pay minimum wage?
Workers should either be volunteers, or they should be paid the National Minimum Wage in line with their age group.
Can a volunteer be sacked?
Since a volunteer does not have an employment contract, they cannot be fired from their role. They can be dismissed from their duties if they are breaking their volunteer agreement.
Can a volunteer claim unfair dismissal?
No, a volunteer does not have employment rights so they are not covered by employment law. This means they cannot claim unfair dismissal, even if they are removed from their voluntary post.
Our specialists in Charity Employment
Graham Pearce
Director and Head of Department for Conveyancing, Commercial and Charity
Expert advice for you Book a free consultation
The team at Pearcelegal will be delighted to discuss your legal matters and give you a no-obligation quote.
