Volunteering at a music festival -- 'deposit protection'?

insurgente

Not sure of where the best place to ask this is, but please move if need be:

I'm looking at volunteering at a small-ish music festival in the summer, and as is standard they ask for a deposit, to be returned upon completion of the work. This is obviously to be make sure you do the work required.

After the Bloc Festival fiasco (http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012/sep/06/bloc-weekend-organisers-venue-cancellation) I wonder if there's anyway to protect myself? If something happens and the whole festival is cancelled, am I protected from losing my money (which is, in essence, an interest free 2 month loan)? Are festivals ever required to keep such funds in a separate account, and not use them to pay for the running costs of putting on the festival itself?

(the volunteer position is with the festival directly, not a charity)

dandelionclock30

I would'nt be parting with any money if your volunteering!!! What a rip off. Protect yourself by wising up like now. You hand them any money and its the last you will see of it.
I've had plenty of mates who've been ripped off by working at festivals doing stewarding etc and then never getting paid. Steer well clear of it all.

t0rt0ise

My sister has worked at Glastonbury for years and years and has never had any problems. I know lots of people who have worked at Latitude and likewise had no problems. Paying by credit card should give you some protection I'd have thought.

Fluff15

When Creamfields was cancelled mid-festival last year due to the rain and flooding, they refunded everybody who bought tickets for the Sunday. This includes those who bought a 2/3 day ticket - they refunded that days portion. I got about £70 for the Sunday which was half of my £140 ticket. I don't know about any protection, but I know after Bloc that companies may well be reluctant to follow their poor example if something similar happens. I think you will be okay, and I hope somebody else can give you more legal info.

insurgente

I'm with Fluff and Tortoise.... deposits are unfortunately standard for this kind of thing! I've worked at Glastonbury before and got my deposit back fine

This particular festival I'm looking at, the whole thing was cancelled one year due to flooding.... i'm not sure what happened with tickets/volunteers that year.

Paying by credit card isn't a bad idea...but they've asked for it via bank transfer. Maybe I'll ask if I can pay by PayPal

19lottie82

I guess it's so you can't say you want to volunteer, just to get in for free, then do a bunk = free ticket!