NSW Health WSLHD Volunteer Manual

5. Volunteer Rights and Responsibilities

Rights NSW Health will ensure the rights of NSW Health Volunteers are upheld, as outlined by Volunteering Australia. Specifically, NSW Health will ensure that volunteers working within health services have the right: • to work in a healthy and safe environment (refer various Occupational Health and Safety Act[s]); • to be interviewed and engaged in accordance with equal opportunity and anti-discrimination legislation; • to be adequately covered by insurance; • to be given accurate and truthful information about the organisation for which you are working; • to be reimbursed for out of pocket expenses; • to be given a copy of the organisations volunteer policy and any other policy that affects your work; • not to fill a position previously held by a paid worker; • not to do the work of paid staff during industrial disputes; • to have a job description and agreed working hours; • to have access to a grievance procedure; • to be provided with orientation to the organisation; • to have your confidential and personal information dealt with in accordance with the principles of the Privacy Act 1988; and • to be provided with sufficient training to do your job. • Are given the same respect and dignity as paid workers. From Volunteers - Engaging, Supporting and Managing Volunteers https://www1.health.nsw. gov.au/pds/ActivePDSDocuments/PD2011_033.pdf

Responsibilities Volunteers have a responsibility towards the WSLHD laid out in the Code of Conduct. (Appendix A). In general terms these responsibilities include • Support the ethos & values of WSLHD • Value the WSLHD patient-centred approach to care • Comply with the policies & procedures of WSLHD • Observe the principles of risk management and duty of care • If unable to perform or attend rostered duty, attempt to secure a replacement and advise the Convener and Volunteer Manager. If a replacement, cannot be secured, advise Convener and Volunteer Manager as soon as possible • Not attend duty if unwell • Be available to volunteer on a regular basis, except for pre-arranged and agreed holidays or commitments. • Unless specifically delegated, not represent WSLHD on policy, operational or financial matters, or make any public or political comment including on any social media platform. • Keep all information, including written, electronic and verbal, accessed via your volunteering role private. Also Volunteers must • Attend training courses as required • Wear the prescribed uniform if required

See Code of Conduct, Appendix A, for more information

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Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) Volunteer Manual