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Volunteer Time
Good Morning,
Recently I led a class with HR regarding compensable time. At one of the classes we were asked about volunteer time. Our company sponsors some local fairs and our hourly non-exempt employees can volunteer to sit at a booth. They can bring family/friends to help out. I am not sure exactly what they do but I know they hand out t-shirts and other gadgets with the company logo. The employee gets 2 tickets to use at a later time, a t-shirt and $5 in food money for volunteering.
Currently we are not treating this as compensable time but we are questioning this. I have looked all over for backup to present to higher management with no luck.
If you could give me your thoughts and a place to find this information, I would really appreciate it.
Thank you,
Diane
Recently I led a class with HR regarding compensable time. At one of the classes we were asked about volunteer time. Our company sponsors some local fairs and our hourly non-exempt employees can volunteer to sit at a booth. They can bring family/friends to help out. I am not sure exactly what they do but I know they hand out t-shirts and other gadgets with the company logo. The employee gets 2 tickets to use at a later time, a t-shirt and $5 in food money for volunteering.
Currently we are not treating this as compensable time but we are questioning this. I have looked all over for backup to present to higher management with no luck.
If you could give me your thoughts and a place to find this information, I would really appreciate it.
Thank you,
Diane
Comments
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Are you for profit or non-profit?
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For Profit.
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For profit companies cannot have volunteers. You need to be paying these people.
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http://www.dol.gov/elaws/esa/flsa/docs/volunteers.aspUnder the FLSA, employees may not volunteer services to for-profit private sector employers.
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Agree with David - with one more question - inside or outside the employee's normal working hours?
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As they are handing out company logoed items, which is essentially engaging in marketing for the company, they need to be paid. If any of these employees file a wage claim with the state, they will win.
