Volunteer Hiring Process

What constitutes a Volunteer hire?

Volunteering must be for altruistic reasons and not for training, to avoid hiring someone, or as a trial period for hiring. Volunteers are expected to receive a greater level of supervision than an employee would and are prohibited from doing work for the employer’s benefit (i.e. filing, typing, clerical work). All duties should fulfill the altruistic purpose of volunteering and, if applicable, must be renewed annually by completing a questionnaire and submitting to HR for review. 

Volunteer Hiring Process

  1. Department reaches out to HR Business Partner and completes the volunteer questionnaire. 
  2. Department sends the questionnaire to their HR Business Partner for review at least 30 days prior to the volunteer starting 
  3. HRBP reviews the questionnaire and confirms whether or not the volunteer opportunity meets the appropriate guidelines. 
  4. If the volunteer opportunity is determined it does meet the appropriate guidelines, HR prepares and sends the agreement directly to volunteer for completion.
  5. HR prepares the volunteer agreement and sends to the volunteer for completion and signature. The completed form should be sent back to HR for review and approval.  
  6. If approved, the department is able to submit a request via Harvard Sponsored Role if needed.