Many unemployed people wonder whether they can use their time to help others or contribute to the common good. As an unemployed jobseeker, you can generally engage in unpaid, ordinary voluntary work or community volunteer activities without losing your unemployment benefits. However, the work must not delay or prevent you from seeking or accepting full-time employment, and it must meet certain conditions.
Volunteering can bring meaning to everyday life, help you make new friends, provide valuable work experience, improve your well-being and give you an opportunity to use your skills and knowledge – all of which can also benefit your job search.
There are many ways to volunteer. Examples include befriending and support person activities, sports club activities, organising events, youth work, environmental and nature conservation projects, and various roles within non-profit organisations. Volunteering can be a one-time activity or ongoing. You can volunteer flexibly whenever it suits you.
When is volunteering allowed?
Volunteering generally does not affect your earnings-related unemployment allowance if the following conditions are met:
The work Is unpaid
- You do not receive wages, compensation or any other form of remuneration for the work.
- Reasonable reimbursement of expenses (such as public transport tickets or mileage allowances) and customary refreshments (for example, coffee and a pastry) are permitted.
There is no employment relationship
- The volunteering is carried out without an employment contract or employment relationship.
The volunteering does not replace paid work
- The activity must not be part of a company’s business operations or work that would normally be performed for pay.
- The work must not be carried out in a manner that resembles regular paid employment.
Job seeking must always come first
- You must remain available for full-time work and participate in employment services when required.
- Volunteering is not a valid reason to refuse a job offer.
If you are unsure whether your planned volunteering activity meets these conditions, check with the employment authority before starting.
Volunteering must be reported
As an unemployed jobseeker, you must inform the employment authority about any volunteering activities. A verbal notification is usually sufficient, but the authority may request additional information about the nature of the activity if necessary.
Volunteering does not count towards the employment condition
It is also important to note that volunteering does not extend the review period for the employment condition, nor does it help you accumulate a new entitlement to earnings-related unemployment allowance. However, it can strengthen your skills and experience, which may support your job search.
Including volunteering in your CV can show employers and recruiters your interests, commitment and skills. It can be particularly useful if you do not yet have extensive work experience.
During a long period of unemployment, volunteering can help you maintain skills relevant to working life and build new networks. Networks can also be valuable when looking for work, as job opportunities are increasingly found through personal contacts.
Volunteering can also be one way of finding so-called hidden jobs. Hidden jobs are positions that are never publicly advertised, but are instead filled through networks, recommendations or direct contact.
Actual expense reimbursements paid in connection with volunteering generally do not affect your earnings-related unemployment allowance. If you receive other benefits, check with the benefit provider how such reimbursements may affect them.
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