An Ethical Dilemma

[tamaranth]

Imagine that you have a friend who has been doing voluntary work for an organisation for over ten years.

EDIT I should have made it clear that this is very much occasional, though sometimes very time-consuming, work -- not a full-time or even traditionally part-time job.



Lately, the organisation hasn't been paying much attention to what he's been doing, and hasn't responded to his enquiries about how things are going and whether there's a problem with his work.

He has recently discovered that the organisation is pursuing other projects in his area, but without involving him. He has asked to be included, and they've seemed willing -- but he's no more involved with the new projects now than he was before. The project he's worked on seems to have been sidelined in a gentle coup: it's no longer mentioned when that area of the organisation is discussed.

He's asked the organisation, in a forum, what his current role is, but there has been no answer. His best option, he feels, is to resign: but his letter of resignation has -- so far -- remained unanswered.

Some work in his area is now due. Some other work is probably due but needs to be chased.

- Should he invest more time and energy in the project?

- How can he get his resignation accepted?

- Should he carry on doing his 'job' until the organisation acknowledges his retirement?

If you think you know what I'm talking about, please restrict any revelations to email ...

Comments

[yonmei.livejournal.com]

I would send the letter of resignation again, but this time registered post - with a covering note explaining he sent it before but got no reply or acknowledgement, hence his re-sending it registered - and a brief outline of where things stand in the area he works in.

I would invest no more time/energy in the project if the organisation isn't prepared to support it or him. That would include not carrying on with the 'job' after the notice period of resignation has expired, though fair enough to continue it up to the end of whatever notice period he gave (as a volunteer, he doesn't need to give any notice, of course, but if others are depending on his work it would be considerate to do so.)

[yonmei.livejournal.com]

Oh, and if he's been working for the organisation for ten years, he presumably knows quite a few people who work for it personally: I would make sure that the most senior person in the organisation who knows him has a copy of all the documentation, including his first letter of resignation and the fact that he had to send a follow-up. If after 10 years voluntary work he got no acknowledgement that he'd resigned, not even a card, something has gone very wrong somewhere.

[d-floorlandmine.livejournal.com]

If after 10 years voluntary work he got no acknowledgement that he'd resigned, not even a card, something has gone very wrong somewhere.

Working in the third sector, I'd agree.

[tamaranth.livejournal.com]

should have made it clearer that this is occasional work and not a proper job: does that change anything, or prompt you to add anything?

[yonmei.livejournal.com]

No. After ten years association with the organisation, even on an occasional basis, there ought to have been some reaction when he resigned from it. (Even if, and I speculate madly, they were in fact rather hoping he would go, there should have been a formal acknowledgement of the time he'd put in.)

[fjm.livejournal.com]

Can't really add to yonmei's post. It's tricky because of the sense of obligation, but--and I don't know if this is helpful--I believe voluntary workers are now included in some aspects of employment protection.

[moral-vacuum.livejournal.com]

Obligation cuts both ways, though.

[tamaranth.livejournal.com]

I suspect the employment protection wouldn't really apply in this case, but am encouraged and intrigued!

I wonder what his notice period would be?

[yonmei.livejournal.com]

Legally, if you're not being paid, there is no notice period - no legally enforceable one, that is.

[tamaranth.livejournal.com]

should have made it clearer that this is occasional work and not a proper job: does that change anything, or prompt you to add anything?

[easterbunny.livejournal.com]

I agree with yonmei, but I'd also like to highlight in the letter "I gave notice on X day, my work with this charity will terminate on Y day, and remaining milestones a, b and c will have the following status on day A, B, and C."

They can't say they weren't warned.

[yonmei.livejournal.com]

I agree. And send this letter to someone senior in the organisation who ought to be disturbed by the fact that a long-term volunteer was let go in such a cavalier fashion.

[d-floorlandmine.livejournal.com]

From the sound of it, they're aren't actually interested in the work he's doing/been doing for them, and aren't paying it any notice. If I were him, I'd be tempted to say "I resigned on $date. I wish $organisation all the best. Yadda yadda."
He shouldn't be investing more time and effort in a project which appears to have been quietly canned, without anyconfirmation that it is still valid - otherwise he's just wasting his time to no avail for anyone.

[elinor.livejournal.com]

I agree with d_floorlandmine - I've been in a similar situation, although in a very small organisation. I wringed my hands over it for two years, then when Galen died I walked away with a 'quit with immediate notice' letter to the Chair of Trustees and the Director, and didn't give it another thought. My ego was a little bruised, but that was more than balanced by the relief of not having to engage in the power struggle any more.