Volunteers at the University of Saskatchewan

Departments of the University may be approached by individuals or organizations who wish to provide volunteer services. While volunteers can obtain valuable experience and the University recognizes the value of volunteers, it is important that departments and volunteers are aware of the following considerations. It is the responsibility of the Department to assess the benefits and the risks associated with the volunteer arrangement, and determine whether the arrangement should proceed.

1. Volunteers can not be engaged in activity normally done by an employee or that would be seen as bargaining unit work.
2. Volunteers are not employees of the University. They are not covered by any of the University’s benefit plans. Volunteers should not receive payment of any type.
3. Volunteers must be qualified to be engaged in the activities they undertake and must under no circumstances be exposed to hazardous materials, tasks, or environments. As a general rule, a high degree of supervision of the volunteer is required by the department.
4. Volunteers are not covered by worker’s compensation coverage.
5. There can be potential and possibly large liability issues for the University in relation to volunteers.
6. Volunteers are not allowed to drive University owned vehicles, or non-owned vehicles ‘on behalf of the University’.

In some situations, organizations that have specific work placement programs develop their own contracts which outlines the rights and responsibilities of the parties.

The onus is on each department to ensure that the appropriate forms have been completed prior to the volunteer beginning their activities. Risk Management and Insurances Services maintains the Memorandum of Understanding and Release Forms which must be completed and signed by the parties. For copies of these documents, or for more information relating to insurance and liability issues, please contact Merv Dahl at 966-8753 or at merv.dahl@usask.ca.

If the volunteer is a non-Canadian, please contact Human Resources before the arrangement is finalized regarding immigration issues.

A University policy on Volunteers is currently under development by Health, Safety & Environment and Risk Management & Insurances Services.