Re: Ridiculous

Huh?

If an volunteer is being disruptive, committing crimes, wasting everybodies time, or some other problem, why on earth would the Government continue to provide them food and board and a stipend?

And why would it be a difficult thing to "fire" a volunteer who is interfereing with the work the agency is trying to do? Why would you waste any more time with busy work or some other work-around of the problem volunteer.

And why would a volunteer LITIGATE about it all?

Re: Ridiculous

I agree with the HR Supervisor. Why not fire a volunteer. Although this person may not receive a paycheck, they are being compensated in other ways. And just because a person is volunteering does not mean they have free reign to be disruptive to the agency.

Frankly, I do not understand the logic of the IT Specialist at DOD when they question firing the volunteer.

Re: How could he respond...

Obviously he was not interested in defending himself if he resigned before being fired. And, it doesn't sound like there were formal charges filed against him. So what did he have to defend himself from? He can't have it both ways.

Re: Re:Re: Ridiculous

I don't mean to sound rude, but you don't seem to be very well informed about the Peace Corps. Volunteers get food, board, and a small stipend because they are stationed in various countries around the world. The 'volunteer' positions are a 27-month commitment to live in a foreign country, sometimes in rather primitive conditions, and teach a variety of skills. It's not the same as a volunteer who works in a soup kitchen for a few hours or helps out at a Red Cross drive, etc.

I have a friend who served in the Philippines, another who was in Bangladesh, and two more who went to Africa. They all agree that it is not an easy job but well rewarding in ways other than monetary.

Go to http://www.peacecorps.gov to learn more about what the program entails. You will soon see that it is not at all "ridiculous" to fire a volunteer if that person is not doing what is expected of him/her.

Re: Re:Re: Ridiculous

Totally agree with contract specialist's comments. Additionally, even if the person was volunteering at their local Red Cross or any other agency, it does not give them a passport to any behavior. Volunteers are a reflection on the agency with which they volunteer and therefore are subject to the same rules as paid employees. I have volunteered for many years with different agencies and never expected "special" treatment or to be exempt from the rules. As a sidebar, I am guessing that as much time/money/energy it costs to get a Peace Corps volunteer on board, they are not fired lightly or without good cause.