Moving from volunteer role to paid role

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I currently volunteer a certain amount of hours to help me claw myself out of a depression hell I've been in for the past ten years. I have my GP's full support, and he regularly writes supporting letters for me to give to my employer with regard to what he thinks I'm capable of doing - as sometimes I get lost in the depression and either commit to too much (scared to say no) or commit to nothing ( scared of failing).

In the main, this has worked well and I can see that I've moved on from when I started a couple of years ago. So much so that I now have more responsibilities and effectively manage a couple of others.

Here is where it gets complicated. I have made tentative enquiries about moving to a paid role - doing exactly what I'm doing at the moment, just being paid for it, and I don't seem to be getting anywhere. The other workers all get paid , and the argument is that there isn't enough work for three people - at the moment there are three but only two get paid - yet I'm the one running the show!

All the arguments are really affecting my self esteem and self confidence, and I can feel myself slipping back into a depression. I desperately don't want to leave as I love my role and feel happy that my mental health was improving. Don't really know why I'm posting - guess just to ask if anyone knows how I can get my point across accurately, firmly but fairly?

Firstly, well done on your recovery to date, it sounds like you have had a difficult time over the past 10 years.

Is the organisation a charity? "Volunteering" suggest so, but I just wanted to check.

I guess the issue is from their point of view - is there money and a role for an additional staff member? Having worked for a charity before I know money can be tight and it could be restricted to grants/contracts. Do you know much about their funding?

I know by doing your volunteering role you are 'proving' the need, but they might argue they would just manage with the 2 employed staff. There might also be pressure to keep head count down.

I also think it is unlikely they'd just be able to start paying you. I am guessing they'd need to create a role, run it by the board (depending how big the charity is) advertise it and interview for it.

If I was you I'd be asking what I can do to help create a paid for position. Is there anything you can do to help with that?

Have you tried to outline all the benefits you bring to the organisation?

Hi, thanks for replying No, it's not a charity, it's a sports club. There are guidelines on how many kids can work with one adult, and therefore the need is there for three adults in the majority of sessions. The sticking point is that now one of the other paid adults is moving to a different venue, so a new adult is being brought in - who will be paid. I won't be. The boss has said from day one that he has offered to pay me, but when it actually comes down to the nitty gritty nothing ever comes of it.

There is definitely the need there, as for some of the sessions there is no one else available. Yet apparently I can't be paid for those either

Is this new person they're bringing in more experienced/qualified than you?

Maybe you need to play hard ball and say from x date you can no longer work unless you get paid, and then you'll get an idea of whether they're just dithering or whether there really is no money for a third paid staff member.

Thanks AWomb - nope, I'm actually the highest qualified there. To rub salt into the wound just a bit more, I actually mentored those who were working through their qualification a level under me. His argument is is that he won't be able to get someone else unless he can offer them paid employment.

I have now said that unless he puts it in writing which sessions I will be paid for (not demanding that I instantly get paid...) I won't be doing any volunteering. I hate that it's come to this though

Ok I see, a sports club is a different senario.

Your boss is basically being unfair.

I think you have no choice but to do what you have done and give them an ultimatum. Hopefully they'll go for it.

I can imagine how soul destroying this has been for you, especially against your background.

However, it is unlikely it is anything to do with you, your boss is tight/chancing his luck.

Try not to let this derail you, there are rubbish bosses out there. It sounds like you have gained lots of good experience, hopefully you can put it to good use elsewhere.

Good luck.

Thank you Margot, I'm there today and am absolutely dreading it. I wasn't sure if I was over-reacting, or reading things into it too much but it's just so very hard

That's awful, you must feel really undervalued.

Time to stand firm I think, if they're prepared to pay someone, but that someone isn't you, it's either because they're gambling on you still doing it for free, or because they think that other person will be better at the job. Whichever it is, it's time they became aware of your worth!

How was it when you went in OP?

There may also be concerns about your mental health in the future- having a volunteer who is sometimes less than reliable or whose ability in the role fluctuates is regarded differently to a paid member of staff who is expected just to get on with it, though it sounds as though you are just as essential to the organisation as anyone who gets paid. You have said that you have previously tended to commit more than you could sustain? They may be afraid to take you on and then have you go on sick pay, tbh.
If you are confident that you can sustain paid employment you could push to be paid or start seriously (and publicly) looking for paid employment elsewhere, while making it clear that you would prefer a paid post there. Or maybe ask the boss if these are his concerns and negotiate a trial period as staff?