Volunteers Rights to Reimbursement of Care Costs Threatened
The Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform has recently stated that reimbursement of childcare expenses represents a significant benefit in kind and as such would entitle volunteers who receive it to a minimum wage. Herefordshire Volunteer Centre believes firmly that people should not be out of pocket through their volunteering and therefore care costs, whether for children or others, are a legitimate reimbursable expense for volunteers and should not be regarded as a benefit or a perk. If organisations had to stop reimbursing for care, this would act as a significant barrier to carers on low incomes who want to offer time to their community or to causes they support. Herefordshire Volunteer Centre will be writing mid January 08 to the Secretary of State challenging the department's statement. If you you have any comments or thoughts on this important issue which should be included in the letter, please do contact Angela Legg on 01432 343932 or email on angela@herefordshireva.org
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