charitable status and units -are they really?

[1man1desk]

Posted by RedEarth:

quote:It does strike me as a bit pointless evening having the IFA and attempting to improve the lot of archaeologists if organisations can use volunteers on commercial projects. There is no hope of anything changing if that carries on. I can't recall what the IFA policy on volunteers is but I'm sure someone out there will know. I am sick of being undercut by organisations that I know make use of volunteers in some way - I can't be certain they are use on commercial projects, but how difficult would it be for this to happen, especially with something like finds washing - 'While you're here you could just wash those other bags too'

The IFA policy on volunteers can be found via the following link: http://www.archaeologists.net/modules/ic...ements.pdf
Too big to give in full here, but the following extracts may be pertinent:

quote:3.4 It is normally inappropriate for organisations to bid for commercial work if there is the expectation that they will use staff who will not be paid a proper wage or be appropriately contacted.
3.5 Employers will not use volunteers and students in place of employed staff when funding is agreed for the latter, as this would be tantamount to exploitation.
3.6 There may be occasions when timescales are more relaxed and the required professional standard of work can be achieved outside normal commercial pressures. Subject to agreement by the site owner, developer and curator, such situations may provide suitable opportunities for the participation of volunteers or for the training of students.
Similarly, there maybe opportunities for such participation or training aspects of a site’s archaeology which are outside the scope of the controlling authority’s requirements, but which could enhance the overall results of the project.

I don't know which unit is being referred to in this thread. However, if you think that the IFA policy is being breached, and the unit is an RAO, or the relevant managers are members of the IFA, then you could consider making a complaint. Of course, if the volunteers are not being used on commercial contracts - and RedEarth admits he doesn't know - then there may be no grounds for complaint.


1man1desk

to let, fully furnished