Job substitution

The issue of job substitution - when volunteers replace paid staff - causes much debate in the voluntary sector. Without a policy to avoid job substitution, roles can become blurred and relationships and efficiency can be affected. You must be clear about which posts are paid and which are volunteer posts. Remember to think about the posts rather than individuals. In essence volunteers and paid staff should not be carrying out exactly the same tasks. Neither should volunteers be used to fill in while a paid post is vacant, or do a job previously done by paid staff.

Find out more about other volunteer issues and examples in the In more depth section.