How to deal with Dismissal of volunteers

B

Black Sheep

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Recently 3 of our long standing volunteers received Instant Dismissal notices. They were absolutely gutted having given many years to this organisation.

There had been some unresolved issues but this came as a shock.

Has anyone had similar experiences or can anyone offer any options to these people.
 
I don't think that volunteers are employees and so they are not protected by the Unfair Dismissals Act.

I doubt if anyone has a right to volunteer.

Is it a charity? Is it run by a committee? Does it have a set of rules and an agm? Check the rules - it should be possible for a member to raise these issues at the agm or else to summon a Special General Meeting to discuss the issue.
 
Indeed they are not covered by any employment legislation.
There is a volunteer policy document but no mention of dismissal in it.

It does have charitable status
 
May I ask why were three volunteers dismissed from a charity? What did they do?
 
One said:
May I ask why were three volunteers dismissed from a charity? What did they do?
Click to expand...

I don't think that's really relevant here, and may end up identifying the charity/people involved.
 
It's a long story but basically Allegations were made (by an employee) against the 3 volunteers. These allegations were investigated but were not upheld.

The recommendations of the investigation were never implemented.

The volunteers have constantly requested the implementation of the recommendations so that their good names can be restored.

Many letters have passed between volunteers and Chairperson and finally Dismissal Notice was received
 
You do realise that others familiar with this case may now be able to identify this case, and you!
 
I am involved in a voluntary organisation, and was involved with kicking the biggest troublemaker I ever met in my life out. I regret that that action had to be taken, but it was completely unavoidable. I have been through the legal aspect of this over and over again, and there is no protection for volunteers. If one volunteer doesn't want to work with another volunteer that is all there is to it. If a committee doen't want a volunteer to stay in a voluntary organisation then that is all there is to it. However, there are exceptions to this. An example being that if a committee member said something that was defamatory, there may be liability attached to that. Or if the voluntary organisation was set up as a trust, or as a company it may be different.

My whole past week has been immersed in volunteers leaving a voluntary organisation, and it has been a terrible week. But that saying about there being two sides to every story rings through. I have tried to be a peacemaker and resolve issues and referee personalties but I don't have the capability of doing so.
 
In this situation the problem was between 1 employee and the 3 volunteers. The rights of the employee take precedent over the (nil) rights of the volunteers.

They can be dumped like they didn't matter
 
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