Pressured by Op Shop Manager to Work Longer Hours (for Free) than I Want to Volunteer

canberrascooter on 31/05/2020 - 09:17
Last edited 31/05/2020 - 10:20 by 1 other user

I just want to know the norm of volunteering for charity opt shops like Vinnies or Salvos?

I wanted to some volunteering on the weekend for an hour or two for my local Vinnies, so I called up and went to see the store manager before I can tell her (nor did she ask how many hours would you like to volunteer), she puts me down for a six hour shift on a Sunday before any paper work is completed!

I didn't say anything at the time just thinking WTF man.

After watching induction video and taking the paperwork home, I put down 3 hours a week (still more than I wanted to volunteer) as my availability and handed to her next day, she said something along the line, "we don't do three hours shifts, we have four hour shifts or a six hour shift on Sunday, because it's a shorter day). So basically now our agreement is four hour shift on the Sunday.

I did my first three hour training shift this Friday, they were very strict with breaks and speed, she said that on a three/four shift, there is no coffee break/smoko. I was thinking I am not a paid worker like your other employees.

Is this the norm of volunteering or am I being too childish?

Education & Work

Comments

  • ms_caz on 31/05/2020 - 09:28
    +13

    You are being childish.

    You have applied for a position in their shop, and the shift hours are organised as they are in order to meet the needs of the organisation. Op shops are rarely run as little church stalls these days - they are major businesses in the business of making a profit that they can turn over to the charitiable side of the organisation. Occasionally you might see an op shop that is run as part of your local parish church, but even then you will have to meet the needs of its committee of management.

    I think you need to consider why you would like to volunteer.

    Perhaps there are other volunteering opportunities that you can take on for your couple of hours a week - have you looked at SEEK Volunteer?

    Or as an alternative, if you only have two hours time to donate, consider donating two hours of pay instead.

    • ozboygsl on 01/06/2020 - 08:05
      +1

      the fact that whatever it is that runs the place put him down for shifts without even asking is pure filth arrogance. Go somewhere where they have basic manners.

    • stwongy on 23/06/2020 - 20:32
      +1

      I don't think he's being childish, since its volunteering you would expect there is some level of flexibility towards it. I think OP's Vinnies volunteer place has a pretty rude manager.

    • 1101011100010101 on 10/07/2020 - 12:27

      Just to add to this, remember that the work you do here helps support fundung the legal defence and protection of pedophiles and does not contribute tax for actual social services.

  • Almost Banned on 31/05/2020 - 09:28
    +14

    You may think this is just a nice thing for you to do - but they have to run a business and ensure the store is properly staffed.
    If their expectations and yours are not the same then you need to find something else to do.

  • qwerty on 31/05/2020 - 09:33
    +2

    The volunteer coordinator expects a basic standard / commitment from their volunteers because after a certain time its not worth the effort .

    If you cant give 4 hours they might as well find someone else .

  • JordanM on 31/05/2020 - 09:33
    +11

    I help supervise an OP shop on a volunteer basis, sounds to me as though that manager needed to communicate a little better but in general a minimum 4 hour shift would be the norm in my organisation.

    In regards to breaks we generally have a 15m break for people working 4 hours. There is a cost in training a new volunteer, submitting a police check ect.

  • canberrascooter on 31/05/2020 - 09:37
    +9

    No worries, thanks for the reply. I will do something else with my time.

      • canberrascooter on 31/05/2020 - 09:51
        +3

        I didn't cost they much time at all, their induction process was just me watch 2 videos on vimeo by myself, paperwork was about 5 minutes of work.

        They don't need to shuffle any rosters, they are short staffed everyday, they only have paid workers at the moment. She wanted me to work today…

        • JordanM on 31/05/2020 - 10:54
          +2

          Did you supply ID/agree to a police check with your induction?

          If so I would donate $30 to cover that at least…

          • canberrascooter on 31/05/2020 - 10:55

            @JordanM: they did no police check or anything. Just photocopied my licence and WWVP card. I started the in like two days, they wanted me to work more this week because they are so short-staffed.

  • try2bhelpful on 31/05/2020 - 09:39
    +10

    This is volunteer work. If you don’t want to commit to their hours then you can just walk away. However, it might be worth doing a couple of shifts and see if it does work for you. You might enjoy the experience and not begrudge the time. However, if it doesn’t work then walk away. Don’t just stay and gripe.

  • holdenmg on 31/05/2020 - 09:48
    +9

    There must be a better way you can get a "volunteer discount"
    on a replacement pot plant…

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/509237

  • Hithere on 31/05/2020 - 09:50
    +4

    OP Shops aren't managed like they were in the 'old days'.

    They are now strictly run like any other for profit business which means set duties, rosters, and times.

    Give it a try OP and, unless it's under a Centrelink obligation, just quit if you don't like it.

  • pegaxs on 31/05/2020 - 09:50
    +6

    Then don’t…. If I had free labour, I would want to use as much of it as I could.

    I do a lot of volunteer work and I just laugh off suggestions of things like rostering and increased hours. No, these are the times I am available and this is how long you have me for…

    If they can pick and choose who they want and dictate the terms and length of shifts, then they have a surplus of volunteers. Move onto somewhere else that would appreciate the help.

    Places like Vinnies, Salvos, Botherhood, etc, are all run as “for profit” stores. You are better off finding a local OP shop that isn’t tied up as a franchise type arrangement. Also, look into other local volunteer groups, there is more than OP shops that need the help.

  • Traveller107 on 31/05/2020 - 09:58
    +10

    I volunteer at animal shelters. Very flexible, extremely rewarding and you are surrounded by the most amazing company you can find- animals and people. Dont waste your time at Vinnies. Cheers!

  • [Deactivated] on 31/05/2020 - 10:03
    +6

    Might be a clever tactic to identify tire kickers early.

  • JimmyF on 31/05/2020 - 10:44
    +3

    they were very strict with breaks and speed, she said that on a three/four shift,

    Your time is volunteered, buts its still a business and still a 'job' you're getting. The store needs to be open and the work needs to be done.

    My mum does Volunteer work at a OP shop to fill in her time, they have morning and afternoon shifts. You put your name down and you have to attend or call in 'sick' just like work as people are expecting the shop to be open.

    From the OP shop side, you are just like a employee buy working for free, they have to arrange things, shifts and fill in if you're not there. They have to look after your health and safety etc.

    Do a couple of 4 hour shifts and see if you like it, you might be able to increase your donated time from 2 hours a week to 4 hours.

  • dscott85 on 31/05/2020 - 10:48
    +6

    A 4 hour shift seems pretty reasonable to me. The shop obviously can not be left unattended, so they can’t really have people popping in & then leaving after 1-2 hours at their leisure. It’s not a charity sausage sizzle or craft market store.

  • Ocker on 31/05/2020 - 10:54
    +2

    People need to recognise that Op Shops are a money making business and need to be operated as such, particularly with respect to staffing

  • whooah1979 on 31/05/2020 - 11:17
    +1

    The minimum hours for causal workers are 3 or 4 hours per shift. Workers asking to work for one hour is wasting everyone's time.

  • brendanm on 31/05/2020 - 13:43
    +8

    Someone has to bust their ass for free so the CEO's can get that sweet cash.

  • symo on 31/05/2020 - 13:59
    +2

    I havent read all the posts, but you need to look after No 1 (ie. your self). Therefore, if you feel that you need a break, then you need to take 5 min and have some H2O as well.

    • TheOtherLeft on 01/06/2020 - 08:07

      I've been to many salvo shops in Sydney looking for random stuff. None have ever been super busy. Doing three to four hours without breaks isn't a big ask.

      I've been a volunteer with a multinational NGO for about 20 years but mainly in their call centre during emergencies. I was surprised when they halved their shift times. Seems people were complaining they were too long.

  • SlowCarSlow on 31/05/2020 - 14:01

    I feel like maybe you aren't communicating directly what you are wanting out of the situation. Be clear if you talk to the manager again that you would like to assist for an hour a week (or however long you are willing). Maybe there are odd jobs that you could do during that time, rather than replacing the current staffing?

  • Tothy on 01/06/2020 - 00:44
    +2

    I would just like to commend you for volunteering in the first place.

    • TheOtherLeft on 01/06/2020 - 08:08
      +1

      The OP hasn't actually started yet.

      • Ozpit on 01/06/2020 - 09:55
        +1

        But when they do, next thread from OP: “I just started working at an OP shop for an hour a week and they won’t give me a staff discount on purchases. Do you think this is fair?”

        • holdenmg on 01/06/2020 - 11:32
          +1

          Also, the movie Crackerjack (2002) shows how to join a Bowls club for Parking Benefits.

      • canberrascooter on 01/06/2020 - 21:58

        mate, learn to read.

  • Noblejoker on 01/06/2020 - 10:39
    +1

    The rules are so strict as a majority of 'volunteers' at these type of shops are in fact fulfilling a community service obligation
    e.g. this counts in place of actually seeking work whilst on benefits
    Hence they run the 'business' to manage this type of volunteer - even though you are not in that category
    If you like the work and the workplace things will probably get easier as they get to know you and realise you are genuine
    If you dont like it - find something else :)

  • [Deactivated] on 01/06/2020 - 10:55
    +2

    You want to work 3, they want 4, if you really wanted to help out, what's wrong with an extra hour? Also just because you're volunteering doesn't mean you can do whatever you want, take breaks whenever you want etc.

  • misswanderlust on 13/06/2020 - 02:27

    i think it’s great you want to volunteer. Consider finding somewhere else where 2 hours of your time can help. There’s no point helping at the op
    Shop if you can’t spare the time and start to feel resentful of the rigidity.

    • Flowerbomb on 18/07/2020 - 22:50

      Agree with this. It’s a shop with set hours. It’s hard for them to find 2 volunteers for 2 hours each to suit your schedule.

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