Professional Liability
Whether your volunteer activity involves contact with students, parents, colleagues or other members of the school community, you are at risk of being the subject of complaints about your conduct. The distinction between your paid and unpaid work may not be understood by other members of the school community. They will expect the same level of professionalism regardless of the duties you perform: it is likely that the College of Teaches will also share the same view.
It is important to remember that the Child and Family Services Act does not clearly distinguish between paid or volunteer activities when it comes to the duty to report suspicion of harm or risk of harm.
Ongoing Risk and Limited Protection
The protections and entitlements negotiated for ETFO members generally only apply to paid positions, not to volunteer activities. Be aware that you are not covered for issues arising during volunteer activities outside your professional obligations.
Entitlement to benefits under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act may also limit your activities. Your employer only pays premiums for employees based on payroll: injuries arising from volunteer activities may not provide entitlements under the Act.
Working for no pay?
Working for no pay is not something ETFO views to be in a member's best interest. Your professional services are valuable to the employer and the education community. Work should be compensated.
Tips
- Volunteering in a school setting is by choice and members should not be coerced or pressured by promises of full time work.
- There should be a formal written plan in place clarifying the scope of your volunteer role.
- The hours of the volunteer work should be formalized.
- If you are not being paid as an Occasional Teacher, you should not be taking on the responsibilities of the Teacher. The classroom Teacher must have all responsibility for planning, supervision, discipline, assessment, communications with parents and teaching.
- All parties should be aware of the limitations you have in your volunteer capacity: this includes staff colleagues, students and parents: It must be clear that you are attending in a volunteer capacity.
- Continue to conduct yourself professionally. Maintain boundaries. Maintain reliable, diligent and professional work habits. Maintain positive, professional relationships with staff. Recognize that you are in an employment environment. If you would not do something as an Occasional Teacher, don't do it as a volunteer.
- Minimize your involvement in activities that will expose you to risk of injury or liability for which you have no or limited coverage.
- Ensure that the volunteer placement is limited.
- Be sure to notify the school administration when participating in a field trip or event outside your paid assignment.
MEMBERS ARE ADVISED NOT TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY PRIMARY DIVISION (GRADES 1-3), JUNIOR DIVISION (GRADES 4-6), GRADE 9 ASSESSMENT OF MATHEMATICS OR THE ONTARIO SECONDARY SCHOOL LITERACY TEST (GRADE 10) EQAO MARKING EXERCISE.
The Federation views province-wide testing of every student in the primary and junior divisions and grades 9 and 10 as both a misuse of student time, and an ineffective use of funds that should be redirected to support students' learning.
Members are advised:
- Not to participate in any EQAO marking exercise.
