Volunteering work & negociation for minimum wages

MoonDragon

Hi all,

Due to sickness I am trying to get a one day per week volunteering work.

However, all I have found are organizations that want me to work for full time (I have not told them about my sickness (chronic headache)).

Obviously, in goal to take zero risk, these potential employers want me to develop a software for them (since my previous jobs involved information technologies skills)....but all free.

Since I really do not know the rules for the volunteering work, i would like to know if i have to sign a contract (even they will not pay me) and have a mandatory period for working for them.

Presently I am claiming for Employment and Support Allowance (not received yet) (but may switch in next weeks to JSA if my health improve a bit more) and also I would like to know if the Department of Work and Pension will not refuse my benefits if i work full time or even once a week for volunteering work (2 months for software development).

Thanks in advance for your help,

Ps: All the three potential different employers I have found told me that the volunteering work could lead to a job.

Racheldevon

Why don't you pop along to your local CVS and arrange to meet with someone who can give you more guidance? http://www.csv.org.uk/?display=volunteering

PetuliaGristle

You can search volunteering opportunities on the do-it.org website. There's a downloadable guide to volunteering whilst on benefits on the DirectGov website here. In my experience, not all Job Centre Plus staff are up-to-date on what volunteering you can and cannot do whilst claiming benefits.

MoonDragon

Thanks for your help but it seems that was too much optimistic regading my health since it has worsened again.

MoonDragon

Hi,

Definitively I will start the volunteering work on Wednesday, but the company does really not want to pay...I will be doing 2 days per week.

gb12345

MoonDragon wrote: »

Hi,

Definitively I will start the volunteering work on Wednesday, but the company does really not want to pay...I will be doing 2 days per week.

Sorry, but this doesn't make sense - you are volunteering so of course the company won't pay. That is the idea of volunteering - you voluteer to work for free.

dancingfairy

I have to be honest I am confused as to what you are looking for:
1) volunteering - where you workfor free (perhaps bus/train fares if you are lucky). You do something nice for a charity or similar. It would have the advantage of getting out and about, getting a reference, doing something useful etc.
2) paid work on a part time basis - ie for 1 or 2 days a week.

You need to make it clear to people what you are looking for. Proper companies are unlikely to offer volunteering opportunities (as they could then be accused of exploitation), it is likely to be charitys/hospitals/youth clubs etc that are looking for volunteers.
If you are lookingfor volunteering then check doit as stated above for opportunities. They are likely to be more accomodating as to your hours etc !!! you are volunteering.
If you are looking for part time jobs then obviously look for private companies etc. As they will be paying for you they will have less scope for varying hours etc and will expect a certain standard (as they are paying for you).
It depends on your illness which is most suitable for you at the present time.
df

MoonDragon

dancingfairy wrote: »

If you are looking for part time jobs then obviously look for private companies etc. As they will be paying for you they will have less scope for varying hours etc and will expect a certain standard (as they are paying for you).
It depends on your illness which is most suitable for you at the present time.
df

In fact I am looking for part time job due to my health.

I have been advised (wrongly???) that a good way to find a job is by volunteering with council or non-profit companies.

When I have opened the present thread, I had applied for a ONE day per week volunteering work (in goal to come back slowly to the workplace...) at a company that works for my council : as a result they were asking me to work FIVE days per week....and also myself I start being confused (reason of this thread).

I have start it a week ago, but we had to stop because they were at the end trying to force me to work full-time for FREE (and transport at my own charges) : my main problem in this case is that will impact my JSA since I have just applied to it last week (after 8 weeks of sickness).

williacg

MoonDragon wrote: »

Hi all,

Due to sickness I am trying to get a one day per week volunteering work.

However, all I have found are organizations that want me to work for full time (I have not told them about my sickness (chronic headache)).

Obviously, in goal to take zero risk, these potential employers want me to develop a software for them (since my previous jobs involved information technologies skills)....but all free.

Since I really do not know the rules for the volunteering work, i would like to know if i have to sign a contract (even they will not pay me) and have a mandatory period for working for them.

Presently I am claiming for Employment and Support Allowance (not received yet) (but may switch in next weeks to JSA if my health improve a bit more) and also I would like to know if the Department of Work and Pension will not refuse my benefits if i work full time or even once a week for volunteering work (2 months for software development).

Thanks in advance for your help,

Ps: All the three potential different employers I have found told me that the volunteering work could lead to a job.

Sorry, but I am also somewhat confused by this thread and your JSA / Work Programme thread, in which you query the legalities of having to attend the WP if you have already arranged voluntary work!

MoonDragon

williacg wrote: »

Sorry, but I am also somewhat confused by this thread and your JSA / Work Programme thread, in which you query the legalities of having to attend the WP if you have already arranged voluntary work!

My post you have quoted was sent three weeks ago (16th February 2013)....
Are you confused because after weeks of sickness I am looking for volunteering work that could lead to job (and also could be accepted by jobcentre as a job search instead of a simple volunteering work)?
I really do not see any relevancy in your comment.