"paid" Volunteers

chestnut

Texas Employer - Can we give stipends ($10 - $20 per day) to volunteers who spend two to three hours per day with our program and fill in for paid staff while on lunch breaks, etc. without the volunteer becoming an employee, and without violating Wage and Hour Laws?

Mike Maslanka

No...if the volunteers are doing the same work as the regular staff then they are employees and must be treated and paid as employees...the stipend idea is a creative one,but one not permitted by the FLSA...regards from dallas,mike maslanka,michaelmaslanka@akllp.com,214-659-4668