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Question Details: I work on a voluntary basis for a drop-in centre that supports people with mental illness and addiction. Recently one of my fellow voluntary workmates was offered a paid position that no one else was made aware of. This paid position was made up on the spot and no one was interviewed.
Filed under Employment Law | 1126 View(s)
Community Law Wellington & Hutt Valley
Your employer is not breaching any laws or obligations by appointing an existing volunteer to a newly developed role. An employer has discretion as to who they hire, and in this situation was entitled to offer the new position to whoever they saw fit.
The relevant law (the Employment Relations Act 2000) specifically excludes volunteers from being employees so the remaining volunteers can not challenge this decision under employment law.
You should feel free to talk to the management about your dissatisfaction though.
Answered 5 Mar 2013. The IMPORTANT NOTICE below is part of this answer.
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