Double Duty or Double Trouble? Ethical Considerations for Staff Who Volunteer
In this Ethics column, author and Volunteer Engagement professional Kari Astles examines the ethics of engaging staff as volunteers. This common practice raises a number of ethical considerations – namely, whether staff can or should volunteer and, if so, how and when to effectively engage them. Using real-life examples, Astles identifies key considerations, along with policies and procedures that should be in place prior to any staff volunteering and dipping into the conundrum of double duty or double trouble.
Dr Helen Timbrell. UK
Sun, 12/07/2025Thanks for raising this topic. In my experience as a former Director of Volunteering and Director of HR in the charity sector in the UK, and now a consultant in this field, it's very common have both a voluntary and paid relationship with an organisation. I think the additional complexity also comes when individuals have a third hat as "beneficiary" - organisations like Girlguiding are an example where this is particularly central. The article helpfully highlights a number of things to consider, but I wonder if it risks hinting the overlap is more of a problem than a benefit? Managed well this ultra engaged supporters can be an enormous force for good in organisations, but of course the "managed well" bit is key! One of the most challenging aspects of this can be managing the very high expectations of engagement and recognition, and deep connection with the organisation these supporters can have.