Is It Legal to Require Volunteers to Sign a “Code of Conduct”?
Question by JON: Is it legal to require volunteers to sign a “Code of Conduct”?
I volunteer at a regional theatre doing both on-stage and off-stage work. Recently there has been a change of middle-management among the paid employees and new sets of “rules” began floating around. Among these rules were various lists that volunteers were asked to sign or they couldn’t volunteer. I have volunteered at a variety of organizations over the years and have never seen this. I say its a waste of time, at best and a violation of my rights at worst. For instance, agreeing not to imbibe alchohol while working is great, but an addict/alcoholic is going to imbibe no matter what they sign.
Included among these various papers to sign was a medical waiver, authorizing the theatre to perform and santion medical procedures, this worried me as it leaves the theatre open to lawsuits.
Best answer:
Answer by Andy
A waste of time it may be, but every organization is worried about lawsuits. Perhaps a written code of rules is required by its insurer, or its lawyers.
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