It seems to me that workamping, by definition, is working for compensation, but I see a lot of info here about volunteering which, again by definition, is working for no compensation. Shouldn't we have a separate forum for volunteering?
Most volunteer positions there is actually some sort of compensation like in the way of your site , utilities and other perks. Some actually do a bit of both. Having an additional forum would just make more work and with the one forum the employers have the one central place to post openings whether it be volunteer or paid. Each is a working position, just differing compensations is all. There really isn't a need to split the forum. If it were unusually busy maybe, but that is not the case. Actually most like having the one central spot where they can come and check of available positions versus checking different forums
As a volunteer you aren't covered for worker compensation and it actually is illegal, unless it is for a non profit. They are skirting the Federal, State and Local employment laws. It should be called UTT (under the table). As a work camper you technically have to report the free sites as income. The companies giving you the sites right them off as not rented loss. If you get hurt as a volunteer, you can prevail in a law suite for compensation, as the laws are there telling the companies they have to pay workers compensation. If you are an independent contractor, you assume the responsibility for paying all taxes and workers compensation, and social security that is due. You basically become an illegal worker if you aren't on the books legally.
trop-a-cal wrote: As a volunteer you aren't covered for worker compensation and it actually is illegal, unless it is for a non profit. They are skirting the Federal, State and Local employment laws. It should be called UTT (under the table). As a work camper you technically have to report the free sites as income. The companies giving you the sites right them off as not rented loss. If you get hurt as a volunteer, you can prevail in a law suite for compensation, as the laws are there telling the companies they have to pay workers compensation. If you are an independent contractor, you assume the responsibility for paying all taxes and workers compensation, and social security that is due. You basically become an illegal worker if you aren't on the books legally.
Folks, just to clarify the above. When you volunteer for agencies such as state state and federal parks ect. you ARE covered by workers comp. and NOT considered an illegal worker even though you are not paid and only compensated your site. In addition as a volunteer for the likes of state and federal parks and some others for example you do NOT have to report your site compensation to the IRS if living on site is required in order for you to perform your volunteer duties such as a host ect.
It is different in the private sector, but usually one wouldn't normally work at a workamper job for just a site as they usually require considerably more hours anyway than the volunteer positions. I just wanted to clarify the above as it applies to the private sector, non profit as stated. In the state and federal volunteer positions they are required by law to provide and cover you with workers comp. I don't want anyone to think because you volunteer for non profit agency position that you are not covered. In most cases you ARE.
Clarification noted. Basically, no matter what you're doing, some sort of compensation is involved. As I see it, volunteering relates to non-profits and "working" relates to private operations, although the latter would probably like for one to volunteer. I suppose for the really nice private operations and the proper perks, folks DO "volunteer"....thus making it difficult for those who need the income to get a position. Just ruminating here.
Either way especially if it is for privatization or not I would clarify EVERYTHING before entering an agreement and position.
I have found over the last several years there are very few who volunteer in the private industry and don't think there are enough to cause a big problem. These positions usually require more hours than people are willing to work for just a site. For those who want to volunteer the best choices are state, some federal parks and non profit organizations such as like Kirk and Dianne do. Many times there are great perks with these positions as well and if the income is not needed makes them more attractive than many paid positions sometimes.
And if you read all the post and the words not printed in those post, IMO, you will find many workampers being taken advantage of in hours work for compensation received. I have seen them run from 16 hours per week to 30 hours per week, from cleaning filthy restrooms to mowing the yards.
Some wil not consider what it would cost the park owners to hire an outside person to do the same job , they refuse to pay a workamper decent wages or less hours worked for the sites.
And yes, I have workamped and I have been treated very well by some and very crappy by some. It takes all kinds to make this world go around.
On the other hand, volunteering , to me , is someone who does not need to work , but has a heart in the type of work they offer to do, and enjoys it at the same time.
trop-a-cal wrote: As a volunteer you aren't covered for worker compensation and it actually is illegal, unless it is for a non profit. They are skirting the Federal, State and Local employment laws. It should be called UTT (under the table). As a work camper you technically have to report the free sites as income. The companies giving you the sites right them off as not rented loss. If you get hurt as a volunteer, you can prevail in a law suite for compensation, as the laws are there telling the companies they have to pay workers compensation. If you are an independent contractor, you assume the responsibility for paying all taxes and workers compensation, and social security that is due. You basically become an illegal worker if you aren't on the books legally.
Folks, just to clarify the above. When you volunteer for agencies such as state state and federal parks ect. you ARE covered by workers comp. and NOT considered an illegal worker even though you are not paid and only compensated your site. In addition as a volunteer for the likes of state and federal parks and some others for example you do NOT have to report your site compensation to the IRS if living on site is required in order for you to perform your volunteer duties such as a host ect.
It is different in the private sector, but usually one wouldn't normally work at a workamper job for just a site as they usually require considerably more hours anyway than the volunteer positions. I just wanted to clarify the above as it applies to the private sector, non profit as stated. In the state and federal volunteer positions they are required by law to provide and cover you with workers comp. I don't want anyone to think because you volunteer for non profit agency position that you are not covered. In most cases you ARE.
Thank you for clarifying the post. To even think that a volunteer for an organization, whether public or private, makes one an "illegal worker" is just bizzare.
In most cases, the volunteer is covered by worker's compensation insurance, and according to the IRS code, if the site is a requirement of the position, then it is not considered income.
The part about being "required by the job to live on site" applies to both paid and volunteer. It's a good idea to get it in writing but that's just suspenders with your belt. If the park includes the site on your W2 or 1099 you just claim it as a deductible expense(since you're required to live on-site) so it's a wash anyway.
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