Working Unpaid Hours

[terrierist]

I wonder if any of you wise people will be able to help me, I've drawn a blank trying to find the answer to this one.

One of my employees has been off sick for some time with an anxiety disorder, her job role mainly requires her to work on her own. She wishes to return to work but feels unable to work alone so has said that she will work unpaid with a second, paid, person. I am keen to help her to get back to work but am not comfortable with her working and not being paid, but will struggle to afford the extra wage bill for a second person to work with her.

I would like to find out whether or not it is legally acceptable for an employee to work their normal hours without pay. Surely this would break the law in relation to minimum wage.

Any help/thoughts gratefully received.

Could she be considered a volunteer ?

You should probably contact access to work as this is a disabilities issue and there may be help available.

I'm not sure about her being a volunteer as she is employed by us and would be doing her normal hours. It still doesn't feel right.

I haven't heard about access to work before though, sounds promising. Thank you. Off to google now.