Your Employment Rights as a Volunteer

Originally written by Jeff Durham, updated by the editorial team on 17th May 2026

Understanding your position as a volunteer

Volunteering lets you contribute to your community, gain experience, or support a cause you care about. However, your legal position differs significantly from that of paid employees.

Volunteers do not have a contract of employment. You cannot claim unfair dismissal, have no right to the National Minimum Wage, and are not entitled to statutory sick pay or holiday pay.

Some court cases have found that volunteer agreements can create mutual obligations resembling employment. If an organisation requires you to work set hours and you are obliged to turn up, a tribunal might decide the arrangement is employment in disguise, granting you worker status and the rights that come with it.

Certain legal safeguards still apply to genuine volunteers. Most established charities follow good practice standards set out by bodies such as the National Council for Voluntary Organisations.

Volunteer Rights Checker

Not sure about your rights as a volunteer? Answer a few questions about your situation and find out where you stand on expenses, insurance, references, DBS checks, and more.

Try our Volunteer Rights Checker free, here on this site →

Volunteer agreements and what they mean

When you start volunteering, the organisation will usually provide a volunteer agreement. This is not a contract of employment: it sets out expectations on both sides.

A typical volunteer agreement might cover:

A description of your role and tasks
The time commitment expected
Who you will report to or work alongside
Any training provided
Policies on confidentiality and safeguarding
How either party can end the arrangement

Wording is usually careful to avoid creating a binding contract. Phrases like "we hope you will" rather than "you must" are common. If an agreement imposes fixed hours and binding obligations, it starts to look like an employment contract.

If you are asked to sign something that reads more like an employment contract, seek advice. Citizens Advice can help you understand whether your arrangement might give you worker status.

Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.

Health and safety, insurance and liability

Volunteers do have clear legal protection under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Organisations must protect anyone affected by their activities, including volunteers.

The organisation you volunteer with should:

Carry out risk assessments covering your activities
Provide necessary training for your role
Supply appropriate equipment or protective clothing
Maintain a safe environment
Have procedures for reporting accidents or concerns

If an organisation is putting you at risk or ignoring safety concerns, raise this with them. You can also contact the Health and Safety Executive for guidance.

Many organisations have insurance covering volunteers, but there is no legal requirement. Public liability insurance protects against claims if you accidentally cause injury or damage property. Some organisations also have personal accident insurance covering injuries during volunteering. Before you start, ask what cover is in place: do not assume you are covered.

If you use your own vehicle for volunteering, check with your motor insurer. Standard policies may not cover volunteer driving. Some insurers provide this at no extra cost, but policies vary.

Expenses, benefits and equal treatment

Volunteering is unpaid, but many organisations reimburse reasonable out of pocket expenses:

Travel costs
Meals during your session
Care costs such as childcare
Postage, phone calls or other role-related costs

Expense payments should reflect what you actually spent. Keep receipts and records. If an organisation pays more than your genuine expenses, or a flat rate regardless of spending, this could be treated as earnings: this matters if you claim benefits.

If you receive benefits, you can usually volunteer without affecting your payments, provided you meet any conditions attached to your benefit. Universal Credit claimants with work search requirements must still be available for and actively seeking paid work. Inform the Department for Work and Pensions or Jobcentre Plus that you are volunteering. If your arrangement starts to look like employment, this could affect your benefits. For guidance, seek advice from Citizens Advice or check GOV.UK.

The Equality Act 2010 does not cover volunteers as it covers employees. However, organisations should not discriminate against volunteers on protected characteristics: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. If you have a disability and need adjustments, discuss this with the organisation.

If you experience discrimination and the organisation does not resolve it, seek advice from the Equality Advisory Support Service or Citizens Advice. For official guidance on volunteering and your rights, GOV.UK provides information on volunteering while receiving benefits. The National Council for Voluntary Organisations and local volunteer centres can also offer practical support.

The Next Step

Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our Volunteer Rights Checker lets you not sure about your rights as a volunteer? Answer a few questions about your situation and find out where you stand on expenses, insurance, references, DBS checks, and more. Try it now →

38 questions

Ask Voluntary Worker a Question

VoluntaryWorker Editor 27/07/2026 at 10:00 am

@Sec Employers' liability insurance is legally required for employees, and volunteers aren't employees, so strictly speaking you don't need it. That said, many charities take it out anyway as a precaution, because the line between volunteer and worker can blur and claims can still arise. Public liability usually covers injury to members of the public, not the volunteers themselves leading the activity. I'd ring your insurer and ask specifically about volunteer cover; most charity policies offer it as an add-on for a modest premium.

Sec 27/07/2026 at 9:31 am

Members of our walking charity regularly volunteer to lead walks. They are unsupervised and unpaid and have no written contract for this type of activity. Should we get employers' liability insurance for them in case they get injured and try to sue us for not protecting them properly? Alternatively should any claim from them be covered by our public liability insurance?

VoluntaryWorker Editor 23/07/2026 at 6:00 pm

@Hope4safety That's a difficult position to be in, and their response isn't good enough given you've flagged a genuine safeguarding concern. Ask them in writing for their safeguarding policy and who their designated safeguarding lead is, as most festivals are required to have one. If they still refuse to act, you're well within your rights to withdraw, and I'd consider raising it with the festival's trustees or funders too. Your safety comes first, always.

Hope4safety 23/07/2026 at 5:02 pm

i am volunteering due to be volunteering at Sidmouth Folk festival next week. this would be my third third. I emailed them today to ask for some help and support related to the responses and safety actions needed because of the fear and risk of harassment and distress from someone who is due to attend so that i would feel safe.
I can forward this email. It was told they would do nothing. So what are my options? not volunteer and not attending at all?

VoluntaryWorker Editor 16/07/2026 at 12:00 pm

@winnie Sorry to hear you're going through this, it sounds really unfair after 20 years of loyal service. Volunteers unfortunately don't have the same legal protections as employees, but you may still have rights under the Equality Act 2010 if you can show disability discrimination. I'd suggest putting your case in writing to the charity's trustees (not just the shop manager), asking them to reconsider and citing your long service and updated diagnosis. Citizens Advice or the charity's head office complaints procedure would be worth a look too.

winnie 16/07/2026 at 11:26 am

I have voluteered for over 20years with my local charity shop but got a skin rash and was treated very quickly by my GP and a Dematologist who thought it might be scabies.I contacted the shop immediately as I was concerned that In mightbhave been infectious.
However I have now been told I dld NOT have scabies but Actopic Dermatitis which appears very similar as skin scapings and Dermascope showed the first diagnosis was wrong
However I have been told by the person "In charge" after an "emergency Comittee meeting" that the charity shop is "not the right place for me to be" and told that I am "off a lot" but this is not true, although I sometimes have to attend my GP/NHS Clinic as I am disabled but my conditions are well controlled. and I always let the person in charge on my shifts know well in advance.
I am very upset by this an know that there are other volunteers who are off far more than I taking weeks at a time .
I have been a loyal honest volunteer and feel I am being discriminated against as the person in charge is using my having been treated for what was though to be scabies but turned out not to be , and my clinic and GP and hospital appointments as an excuse to get rid of me.
I live alone and the volunteering is highlight of my week, so there anything I can do to plead my case to be allowed to continue?

VoluntaryWorker Editor 17/05/2026 at 1:29 pm

@CKHICHEKH Best of luck with the application. Just remember that even as a volunteer you should be given a clear role description, proper induction and reasonable expenses if the organisation offers them. You won't have the same legal rights as a paid employee, but a decent charity will still treat you fairly and look after your wellbeing. If anything feels off once you start, don't be afraid to raise it with the volunteer coordinator.

CKHICHEKH 12/05/2024 at 2:05 pm

I hope that I will be accepted because I really want to apply for this volunteer work

Ant 23/04/2024 at 9:40 am

I have been volunteering at this place for 5 years most of the staff are great and welcoming but the supervisors and the managers call me lazy and they said that volunteers have to do want we tell them to do because I don't mind helping out but there is some jobs I don't want to do I have written a email last week but no reply I like working there it was great for my mental health now I just not feeling it am I in the wrong all I want is a bit for respect

Notgoodenough 19/03/2024 at 1:32 pm

Hallo, I was offered a volunteer role at my local hospital wich I accepted. I had to wait one year for it to have it come around for a start date. I also had some vaccinations that were against my better judgement for wich I feel violated.and now the job has been retracted. What should I do please? Michael.

kimbosweetpea 04/11/2023 at 10:45 am

Hi,

I am wondering about the use of volunteer contracts as opposed to volunteer agreements in some organizations.

I am also wondering about the use of minimum periods of commitment along with the use of being charged a fee for leaving before that time. This is not to cover training as the organisation did not offer any training other than the requirement to read their induction manual and watch their video.

The contract simply states that if you leave before the period has expired then a fee will be due. It doesn't say what the fee is for other than leaving early?

The legal advice received was that they can put whatever they like in a contract however it is my opinion that volunteers should not incur a debt for leaving a voluntary role.

Any comments would be appreciated.

Thank you.

Debsc 09/04/2021 at 12:28 pm

My daughter has Been volunteering for a company for about 2 and half years or 3 years. At first this was paid maternity cover, when this finished she started volunteering with always the promise off paid employment, or even on the kick start program. She would volunteer sometimes 10 days in a row, she covered all the holidays that staff had to take after lock down, she even volunteered through the last lockdown. Now all of a sudden today she was asked to leave and cannot volunteer anymore. No reason given. Is there anything she could do.

Daz 24/09/2020 at 2:23 pm

I’ve been volunteering for this company for 12 years, in April I was notified I was suspended, no explanation just it would be looked at again in June, this notification was sent to me when I was shielding and the company know I suffer from depression, is there a limit on the time they can take to do an investigation

Vicster 17/07/2020 at 5:06 pm

I have been working 16hrs a month for charity for 4yrs I have also been volunteering
20 hrs a week for the same company. They now say I can’t volunteer anymore even though I have been doing this as assistant manager then manager. Is this law now as they have said it is a new law

Kev 16/01/2020 at 11:53 am

I have been playing the organ at my church for over 20 years on a voluntary basis for Sunday services. During that time, I have also played for weddings and funerals, for which I am paid by the funeral directors/individuals. Last year, without informing me, the minister contacted the local funeral directors and told them I was no longer to be asked to play for funerals. In addition, another funeral director was informed by the minister that I would not want to be paid for a funeral where I had already been asked by the bereaved person to play, without any prior discussion with me. When I raised the question of payment with the funeral director (who had informed the bereaved person that they would 'sort it out', when asked who would pay the organist), I was provided with a cheque from the church funds. Is such action legal? I have suffered loss of earnings through this, but been given no reason for it, despite many letters and emails.

Spider 30/10/2019 at 3:15 pm

I volunteer a few hours on a couple of Sundays each month. The organisation have told me that I MUST attend compulsory training for four days mid-week, expecting me to take time off work.
Is this against the Modern Slavery Act (Sect 1(B))?

arry 02/10/2019 at 10:31 pm

I do unpaid voluntary work in a charity shop. Can the charity
make demands that i wear a name badge only I find this
quite unacceptable.

Jolly 02/06/2019 at 11:46 pm

If a volunteer supplies a charity with a photo to use in its fundraising campaign does the charity then own that photo and therefore the copyright?

Seb 01/05/2019 at 12:20 pm

I m an interpreter,as a volunteer worker was on the working place called BAWSO in Wrexham.I m verbally abused by one of the African worker when I was trying to translate the Turkish family what to do.This woman jumped on me and started screaming and stopped me helping the clients.
Did ask everybody for help to warn that woman who abused me plus other 2 more workers one of them was manager of the place and another one who weren’t even volunteer in the place was nasty towards me.
Emailed text all around and didn’t get usefull person to help...
It’s not fair on who was trying to do good things ...
Well not even get human rights so why should bother helping others who needs help!!!
People who acts working as a sister groub in their own community needs to be warned...need to change system about it...

Magneto 08/11/2018 at 2:37 pm

I volunteer at a local food pantry. One day when I was combing name lists. I was talking to another volunteer saying we needed an update list due to the fact there were names on the list that appeared 2 to 4 times with different numbers of family members and when we ask who someone is then have to go through it 2 to 4 times to get the right number some people were getting mad having to do this every week. This other volunteer started to argue with me about how the list works and such. Also some people who comes regularly names were off the list for no reason. Well once the day was over this volunteer went home called the executive director crying saying I was so ride to her and such. I got told I was suspended from there because I need a break, I was rude, I do too much, but I could come back. I was never given a time frame. So after about 2 months I contacted the executive director and asked if I could come back she said I have to talk to the board, but I think it won't be any time soon. About 2 or 3 weeks later they had a board meeting and they talked and voted on my return. Well some said I was rude, lazy, which is not me at all. Two other volunteers said they would quit if I came back so I am still out. I couldn't even defend myself. Is there anything that can be done?

Firefox 23/08/2018 at 11:55 am

Daughter volunteering in vets as part of uni course. Expected to do 36 hours a week. Rarely got any breaks. Only 5mins here and there to grab a sandwich. Ended up doing 72 hours a week as told if she didnt they would sack her. After weeks & being exhausted she complained to her uni head who contacted them. They changed the hours on the live time sheets to make it look like she was lieing re 72 hour weeks. They have now taken on a second student whos starting her 1st year course as daughter moving into 2nd year. Had a staff meeting yesterday to discuss what they woild be doing for her/buying for her to help with 2nd year. Brought her in to office today & told her due to taking on extra staff they had no time for her anymore and she could go. Owner said she never really liked her or working with her as reason. She now has to give up uni course as cant continue without placement. I feel the timing of this speaks volumes as all placements are now filled with new students & this is about her speaking up re ridiculous hours. What can she do?

Patty 23/06/2018 at 4:08 am

I have been a volunteer tour guide for three years on a regular day and was exposed and witnessed in an open area of,the building to a staff member being suspended. . This was a very distressing scene and upset me very much. I was then approached by the management team who had done the suspension and because I was upset scared and angry made it very clear to them without being abusive that i was aware of the legal implications of this suspension and that as a volunteers I did not know any of these staff and did not like them. Since then a complaint has been lodged against me by this manager and I now face a disciplinary meeting as they have made me aware that I am not the type of volunteer they want or appreciate. Feeling extremely upset about the whole thing but I want to stay as a volunteer but feeling that I am now going to be pushed out because I witnessed this suspension which caused me great distress. This distress has not been recognised by this organisation. Any advice on this matter would be appreciated.

Nixxie 23/03/2018 at 7:21 pm

My daughter works in a cafe which trains people with learning disabilities, it's unpaid, She's been there for about a year. The cafe (a charity) now wants trainees to pay £13 an hour for this training. They have recently taken on paid apprentices. Can they charge voluntary trainees for training provided to paid apprentices?

shell 22/03/2018 at 9:05 am

Can I be dismissed from my position as a volunteer for making an accident claim against the company for an accident in the workplace?

VoluntaryWorker Editor 15/11/2017 at 9:55 am

Assuming the charity runs its operations correctly and its volunteers are indeed volunteers (i.e they receive absolutely no payment or benefits), they can just say they no longer need her. Or ask her to do different work (behind the scenes etc).

jack 14/11/2017 at 6:17 am

friend of a friend question here.
I know somebody who runs a charity shop.
they have a volunteer who has managed to annoy a number of the other volunteers to the point where they have left, she is inflexible regarding start/finish times, and to be frank, a number of the customers wont deal with her.
her conversational subjects that she raises with both staff and customers are not suitable for the business yet the manager doesn't think she can be dismissed.
your comments would be useful...

VoluntaryWorker Editor 31/10/2017 at 3:50 pm

Do you work at the same garage? If so, perhaps you would be willing to provide him a reference. Our advice to the young man would be to document everything he has done and what he has learnt, then speak to someone at JobcentrePlus about what is needed to find paid work in the sector. He may be also able to take an NVQ/city n guilds type qualification - which he should sail through with the experience he's gained. He shouldn't continue working with this employer under the present conditions though.

ElectricWarrior 30/10/2017 at 10:31 pm

A young man of 18 who is known to me through work has been working as a volunteer in a garage servicing vehicles hoping to gain experience in this trade, he walks 5 miles to and from work 3 or 4 days per week as he cannot afford the bus fares, his 'employer' refuses to pay his transport costs or any other out of pocket expenses, he has been doing this for over six months in the hope of being taken on as an employee, it is clear to me that this is not going to happen while the young man is prepared to work for nothing and that he is carrying out work for which someone would normally be paid, he has had little in the way of formal training. I believe he is being exploited as a free labour source and will never be given a proper job by his 'employer', what evidence would the young man need to show to prove that he has been a de facto employee for over six months now ?

VoluntaryWorker Editor 14/08/2017 at 2:39 pm

Yes please see the above article and the reponses to comments below.

Weepoo 12/08/2017 at 3:22 pm

I work as a volunteer in a charity shop and am often left alone for a number of hours. Is this legal?

On one 30/04/2017 at 2:10 am

Hi all, first time I've ever volunteered for anything as I've always worked many hours. But due heart attack was forced to retire early. I soon got bored and found the perfect solution, apply to be a community first responder for the ambulance service, I applied, got accepted, completed training, got allocated to a nearby group and very shortly found the group to be (clicky) so to say, funds were low, I was keen to start responding in my rural area, got involved with events to raise money for kit and defibrillator but this was taking time, asked if I could buy my own kit to help the progress. Certainly, great. First month 140 hours volunteering loved it. Got one person back to life with training, all the time tho in pain and fatigue due to a problem that was under investigation, due to fatigue and Meds I was losing concentration, got caught speeding on camera 3 time just over the limit and was suspended from responding in my car, I handed my kit in including my defibrillator I paid for and said it may as well get used whilst I appeal on convictions, but soon after my condition got worse and started suffering angina attacks, I am awaiting heart treatment to clear further blockages but at high risk of another heart attack, I've asked my scheme and Team for my defibrillator to be returned as I may need it or the wife need to use it on me and after being ignored by our team leader on the issue posted a comment on our members only site and had nothing but abuse from quess what. The Click, I've heard the opinion on other team mates as there are 22, the click is around 4. And anonymously the team totally disagree with the click. As I could die at anytime with a cardiac arrest and not got the vital piece of kit that I own, I'm taking to the top as I have made the group quite a bit of money for buying kits etc, I ask my parish council were I've lived all my life to help funding and they have just donated £500 to our scheme. I've done nothing wrong towards the group, what is the problem with some people, what should I do next ? I'm considering a solicitors letter, as the driving issue that's still ongoing appeal but I'm not driving now due to my health conditions, it's a shame a small group of people can manipulate a group of volunteers to a fantastic cause, some advice soon would be very much appreciated, thank you for your time reading this. I hope it's not to long..

LJ 02/03/2017 at 9:44 am

I volunteered for an organisation about two years ago, I loved doing this and gained some good skills and knowledge from the experience which was fab.

Due to my home life commitments I had to give up my time with the organisation.

I have recently given this organisation as a reference source to potential employers, I had worked hard for them and thought I had made a big contribution to the charity and the people I had advocated for in the community.
It seems the organisation is unwilling to give me a reference and they won't tell me why this is the case. Is there anyway I can officially request a reason for them not giving me a reference ?

Danny 15/01/2017 at 5:21 pm

I work as a voluenteer, my manager requests I work between 8:30-3:30pm is this fair? There has been occasions where I have been a few minutes late through no fault of my own and pulled for it by my manager, what are my rights here?

Mimi 21/09/2016 at 8:11 pm

Are volunteers exempt from whistleblowing policies? I have been told I cannot whistleblow as a volunteer.

VoluntaryWorker Editor 18/07/2016 at 12:12 pm

Do you have a volunteer agreement that details what the procedures are for dismissal etc? Have these been followed correctly?

FRED 17/07/2016 at 12:22 am

Been a volunteer for 13 months and challenged the (paid) Manager about certain things mainly policies.. including one he made and failed to follow it.. Because I challenged him again.. He let me continue the shift and allowed me to go in the following shift. Then on the Monday basically sacked me over the phone.. To top it off he sent a reference in for a event I wanted to attend, which they put me on the roster. He then sent them an e-mail and they sent me one back saying they had withdrawn my application..

What can I do ?

I was really enjoying myself, making new friends and helping the community.
I believe he felt that I was a threat to his job, which I'm not intrested in.

Mary 20/01/2016 at 9:50 pm

My son has been volunteering for the RSPB for about 8 years as he is unable to find paid work. He thoroughly enjoyed this work and has gained a lot of experience through this. He has worked very hard for them and was always there to help them through hard times, i.e. the floods. But today at the end of the day they just told him they don't want him there any more as there is nothing more they can do for him. I would like to know if and what are his rights.

Dave 27/10/2014 at 4:50 pm

A friend who has worked for a charity shop for six years has just been dismissed for making a mistake and is devastated. Where can I find information on the rights of a volunteer worker with respect to the process of being "dismissed" please?

Ask Voluntary Worker a question

Ask our editorial team a question and we will reply with our advice. Tell us as much about your situation as you can: the more detail you give, the more useful our answer can be.

You do not need to use your real name. Please do not include your full address, phone number, email address, or the names of other people. We may edit or remove identifying details for privacy and legal reasons.

Comments are moderated before publication.