Is there a legal process organizations have to follow when terminated volunteers?

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Is there a legal process organizations have to follow when terminated volunteers?

I applied for a contract position at a satellite partner television network
station. I was told there was a 2 week evaluation volunteer process. After one
day, I was terminated for unsubstantiated hearsay. I have the emails I was sent
decsribing the volunteer evaluation process and the termination.
Is this an illegal termination of a voulunteer?

Asked on May 17, 2017 under Employment Labor Law, Ohio

Answers:

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 6 years ago | Contributor

No, without an actual written contract for a definable term, your position as a volunteer may be terminated at any time, for any reason, without prior notice, and even in violation of their own preferred internal policies. Only an enforceable contract gives you any rights to the position. And even if you had enforceable rights, if you were not being paid, it is difficult to see what you would sue for, since you can only sue for a provable, quantifiable loss directly caused by this action--and you were a volunteer (not being paid).

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 6 years ago | Contributor

No, without an actual written contract for a definable term, your position as a volunteer may be terminated at any time, for any reason, without prior notice, and even in violation of their own preferred internal policies. Only an enforceable contract gives you any rights to the position. And even if you had enforceable rights, if you were not being paid, it is difficult to see what you would sue for, since you can only sue for a provable, quantifiable loss directly caused by this action--and you were a volunteer (not being paid).


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