The cost of kindness: voluntary workers and intern's rights under employment law.

Abstract

This article involves analysis of the employment rights of voluntary workers in the United Kingdom or more appropriately, their absence of rights. To emphasize the nature and extent of the problem for volunteers, a review of voluntary working in Scotland will be undertaken. Also, a critical evaluation of the approach taken by the UK Government and the judiciary to protect this diverse group of workers will be undertaken. Comparison with the legal position of volunteers in the other member States of the European Union will also be made. Consideration of the legal position of interns will also be undertaken with a comparison of the law in the UK and the US. Finally, recommendations will be made for formalizing/changing the classification of voluntary workers and improving the legal protection for certain categories of voluntary workers, including interns