How do we manage our Staff and Volunteers?

Many community shops run with a mix of full-time or part-time paid staff and a team of volunteers. It can sometimes be difficult to manage large teams, with a variety of skills and different expectations.

The advantage of employing a paid shop manager is that it ensures there is continuity when running the business; there is a clear structure which helps reassure volunteers and it acts to relieve volunteers of many responsibilities. When paid staff absorb more responsibility, the volunteers find their time in the shop more straight-forward and relaxing.

It is important to thank volunteers for the time they contribute to the shop. The best way is to host an event, maybe drinks and nibbles in the shop, or a garden party. Don’t be tempted to thank volunteers by offering a discount or by giving away stock. This would constitute employment and therefore require the shop to adhere to a range of employment legislation.

It is always good to have a rota drawn up which is easily accessible so that it is always clear who is doing what and when. Try and allocate one person to do the shop rota to minimise any mis-understandings.

Share what works well and not quite so well on our people forum.