help please re any laws/regs on dismissal of volunteer

zzzLazyDaisy

I am so sorry to hear about these developments.

Clearly the volunteer recruitment process has fallen down in this instance, and hopefully lessons will be learned, but that doesn't help you right now.

If he turns up at the shop and you feel threatened, don't hesitate to lock the door (with him outside obviously) and phone for help - from someone from the charity if possible, but if not, phone the police.

And if this escalates (and hopefully it won't) then just close the shop until it is sorted out, or until the charity put a relief manager into the shop to manage the situation.

Savvy_Sue

Haarlem wrote: »

You can only get a CRB check where the employee or volunteer comes into contact with chidren or vunerable adults.

Well, it's not quite as clear cut as that, but I can't immediately see that it would be possible for charity shop staff to get them - but as I don't have any experience of charity shops (except spending lots of money in them!) I'm not entirely certain of that point.

zzzLazyDaisy wrote: »

If he turns up at the shop and you feel threatened, don't hesitate to lock the door (with him outside obviously) and phone for help - from someone from the charity if possible, but if not, phone the police.

And if this escalates (and hopefully it won't) then just close the shop until it is sorted out, or until the charity put a relief manager into the shop to manage the situation.

Actually, if you feel threatened, phone the police FIRST and then the charity. Given normal police response times to some situations, there will be plenty of time to contact the charity while you wait for the police to come and deal with it.

Haarlem

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

Well, it's not quite as clear cut as that, but I can't immediately see that it would be possible for charity shop staff to get them - but as I don't have any experience of charity shops (except spending lots of money in them!) I'm not entirely certain of that point.
.

See http://www.crb.homeoffice.gov.uk/eligibility for professions, offices, employments, work and occupations that are known as the exceptions to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Organisations registered with the CRB can only apply for a CRB Check if the position is included in this list.

heretolearn_2

I hope you (and any other staff he picked on) have contacted the police. This comes under stalking laws and there is also a law against malicious communication (i.e. threatening text messages/emails/postings).

He sounds really disturbed and I think you need to get the police involved rather than wait for the charity, which can't do anything to stop him harassing you anyway. I don't want to scare you, but better safe than sorry.

cit_k

Did you manage to get this sorted?

cit_k

bump... Any news?

silkcutblue

zzzLazyDaisy wrote: »

Another reason for passing the buck higher up the chain of management is that if he has mental health problems, you don't want to unwittingly fall foul of the disability discrimination laws. You have done what you can, but you are not paid to handle this sort of problem. (Yes I know you are not paid at all, but you know what I mean...!)

Very good advice, and something I had to keep in mind when dismissing a couple of guys who just decided they didn't feel like working their hours.

cit_k

Hope all is well, OP has not posted for days now...

shelovestobuystuff

Its all been quiet.The abuse via internet stopped after a couple of days,I assume they must have found someone else to pick on.
Upper management are involved and have instructed the shop staff not to try to sort it out or to accept communications from the volunteer.
Thanks for your advice and support everyone.I needed advise in a hurry and you came through for me when I couldnt get a reply from the charity.
Manager returned today and I am not,at least not yet, in hot water over the way I handled this either so thats a relief.There was an internal procedue which I didnt follow because I didnt know about it,but I do think the volunteers behaviour on the day and especially afterwards did merit them being asked to just simply not return.

shelovestobuystuff

heretolearn wrote: »

I hope you (and any other staff he picked on) have contacted the police. This comes under stalking laws and there is also a law against malicious communication (i.e. threatening text messages/emails/postings).

He sounds really disturbed and I think you need to get the police involved rather than wait for the charity, which can't do anything to stop him harassing you anyway. I don't want to scare you, but better safe than sorry.

I,m in Scotland though so these laws dont apply,all this type of thing is just lumped under breach of the peace.
There been nothing new and I personally am happy to just move on and forget it now but other staff and management may have different views.