Can my employer force us to do paid volunteer work for a non-profit?
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Can my employer force us to do paid volunteer work for a non-profit?
My employer is talking about having us do paid volunteer work for a non-profit organization.
Asked on May 7, 2018 under Employment Labor Law, Washington
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 5 years ago | Contributor
If you are aid for your time, then your employer can mandate that you do such work unless it you have an employment contract or union agreement to the contrary. However, what your employer cannot do is make you volunteer your time; if you are required to do work then legally you must be paid for it. Additionally, it is your employer, not you, who determines what is and is not part of your job. Accordingly, it may modify your duties "at will" (including making you support a non-profit organization) unless you have an employment contract or union agreement to the contrary.
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