Is helping a friend considered volunteer/unpaid work under law?
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Is helping a friend considered volunteer/unpaid work under law?
I know it’s a very extreme question trying to rap my head around the definitions by law as they may have an impact on surrounding laws. If a friend asks for my help to move their stuff from their old to their new
apartment, considering the profession of movers exists and this friend could, in theory, ask a mover to help and pay for their services instead of asking me to do so for free is my rendering of this service/favor, under a verbal agreement of no pay, technically considered or can be considered volunteer work or unpaid
employment?
Asked on October 1, 2019 under Employment Labor Law, New York
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 4 years ago | Contributor
While the profession of movers does exist, as you point out, it is also very common for people to help family and friends move without receiving compensation therefore or it being considered "work." So long as you are not paid and this person is a friend (you can substantiate that at need), you'd be find. Most things can be done for compensation by someone or another--e.g. giving a friend a lift (Uber), walking or watching a friend's dog (a professional dog walker or pet sitter), helping a friend clean up after a party or BBQ (a cleaning or housekeeping service). That someone could be hired to do something does not make it a "job" when a friend helps out, so long as the context shows he/she is just helping a friend.
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