I have a question on this that maybe some on the list can clarify.

I worked for a large history museusm for many years and there were 
always concerns expressed by management about using volunteers because 
it would be illegal to use unpaid people who directly and 
demonstrablely contribute to the production or income of the business, 
even if it was non-profit. The volunteer program there was coordinated 
and tailored with this in mind.

I know that paid workers are covered by extensive state and federal 
labor laws and regulations that include limits on hours worked and 
health and safety,workman's comp,  etc. in the workplace.  Do the same 
rules apply to unpaid volunteers? What are the legal and liability 
issues involved with using unpaid volunteers?

I do well understand the difference with unpaid interns who have a 
required educational link to their time and activities spent in the 
museum workplace.

Cheers!
Dave

David Harvey
Conservator
Los Angeles, California

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