Menu

Hows and whys of volunteer waivers

Waiver documents are important for both the non-profit organization and its volunteers. Each party must formalize the relationship and set expectations.

Volunteers having people sign in and getting t-shirts.

Waiver documents are important for both the non-profit organization and its volunteers. Each party must formalize the relationship and set expectations.

Below are a few risk management points to keep in mind. While these are good starting points, you should always have your attorney finalize your waiver documents to be sure they address all liability concerns and meet all legal requirements.

What should a volunteer waiver include?

  • A volunteer must acknowledge that your volunteers have no expectations of payment (monetary or other). Volunteers also must recognize that they do not qualify for employee benefits of any kind. If your organization has employees, the waiver must say that volunteers are not eligible for employment benefits.
  • It is important that the waiver place the decision to proceed on the individual. For instance, by signing the document, they are agreeing to the terms and freely choosing to formalize the agreement. It could even include language to indicate that individual activities are not required. In other words, giving the volunteer the right to determine his or her own capabilities for every single activity.
  • Volunteers are not covered under workers’ compensation and have no rights under your workers’ compensation policy. A waiver should make this clear
  • Volunteers may not receive a paycheck or benefits. However, they do have responsibilities. A waiver is used to ask the volunteer to accept the organization’s bylaws, mission statement, best practices, etc. The volunteer should agree to defend the organization against such accusations.
  • Waiver documents should be accompanied by or include detailed job descriptions. If the waiver form does not identify job duties, then the person is ill-equipped to accept the risks involved. Have the volunteer sign a recognition statement for the official job description if not in the waiver. Job descriptions might include:
    • Physical requirements for the job, i.e. minimum weight one must be able to lift, etc.
    • Emotional/mental difficulties that could arise from the position.
    • Descriptions of all activities the job will require.
    • Descriptions of the clientele this role will interact with
    • Descriptions of the locations and environments where work will occur.
    • Waivers must advise of specific risks, such as listing job duties. Given that many risks are not foreseeable, the waiver form also must reference general hazards.
    • A waiver should include Hold Harmless and Indemnification language.
  • Every waiver varies in the strength of its legal language. For instance, the term “endeavor to” is much more lenient than “required to.” Each state varies greatly in its requirements. For these reasons, your attorney must design the final version. Before going to your attorney, prepare the job descriptions, create a list of risks you foresee, and decide the tone you want for your waiver document.

Find an agent

Our independent agency partners will help you compare coverages and share industry insights as you shop for the right insurance policy for your needs.

Related articles

How to provide abuse prevention training to staff and volunteers

Integrate training opportunities through a variety of channels to help create a safe environment for trainees to feel comfortable and receptive.

Summer safety tips for camps

SECURA Risk Management has prepared the following weekly Tip Sheets to help regularly refresh summer staff’s commitment to safety.

Suggestions for preventing child abuse through youth training

There are factors that can help prevent youth from getting abused or abusing. Youth should be educated about how they can make themselves and others safer.

Coverages may not be available in all states. Coverages described are subject to all the terms and conditions of the policy, including deductibles, exclusions, and limits of liability. Not all agents are authorized to write all types of insurance. Policies may be underwritten by SECURA Insurance Company or SECURA Supreme Insurance Company, affiliated companies referred to collectively as SECURA Insurance Companies. Please read the policy carefully. Any claim example is for educational and informational purposes only. The information in this document will not be used to determine the coverage of an actual claim presented. All claims are adjusted based on the relevant facts, conditions and coverages at the time of loss. For specific terms and conditions, please refer to your coverage form. Coverage is also subject to applicable deductibles and limits of coverage.

The information provided by SECURA on its Website (the Site) is for general informational purposes only. All information on the Site is provided in good faith, however SECURA makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability, or completeness of any information on the Site. The information contained on the Website is to the best of our knowledge true and accurate at the time of publication, however it is generally to be used solely for informational purposes. The materials on this website are not guaranteed to be correct, complete or up to date. You should not act or rely only on information on this website.

The Site may contain (or you may be sent through the Site links to other websites or content belonging to or originating from third parties or links to websites and features in banners or other advertising. Such external links are not investigated, monitored, or checked for accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability or completeness by SECURA. SECURA DOES NOT WARRANT, ENDORSE, GUARANTEE, OR ASSUME RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE ACCURACY OR RELIABILITY OF ANY INFORMATION OFFERED BY THIRD-PARTY WEBSITES LINKED THROUGH THE SITE OR ANY WEBISTE OR FEATURE LINKED IN ANY BANNER OR OTHER ADVERTISING. SECURA WILL NOT BE A PARTY TO OR IN ANY WAY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MONITORING ANY TRANSACTION BETWEEN YOU AND THIRD-PARTY PROVIDERS OF PRODUCTS OR SERVICES.

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE SHALL SECURA HAVE ANY LIAIBLITY TO YOU FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE OF ANY KIND INCURRED AS A RESULT OF THE USE OF THE SITE OR RELIANCE ON ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THE SITE. YOUR USE OF THE SITE AND YOUR RELIANCE ON ANY INFORMATION ON THE SITE IS SOLELY AT YOUR OWN RISK.

SECURA would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time or accurate.

SECURA and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss of damage as a result of your reliance on the information contained within this website.