Whether it is volunteers or staff who make up your workforce, the board needs to act within the law and enable people to give of their best. The governing body needs to ensure it has appropriate policies and processes in place, for example, for the recruitment, support and management of staff, and policies for volunteers. Take care how you treat volunteers, you could inadvertently make them employees in the eyes of the law.
Recruiting your first employee is a big milestone for which you should plan carefully. It is a big practical and cultural change from being entirely volunteer run.
In organisations that have paid staff, members of the board should know the structure of the organisation, salary scales and the range of posts within your organisation. You may also feel it helpful to know about salary and reward packages in the sector – especially relating to your chief officer.
Useful links
- See our recruiting and managing volunteers section for further information
- See our managing staff section for further information
- See our safeguarding resources for information incorporating safeguarding into recruitment processes
- NCVO members have access to sample HR policies, and can access free HR, employment, and health and safety advice through WorkNest
