Suitability of position and organisation

A partner is only required to complete the 4-weeks of Community Work Experience if MSD is satisfied the organisation and the position are suitable.

Suitability will be different for each partner based on their level of capability, however there are general considerations for each position that MSD must take into account.

Suitable organisations can be community or volunteer organisations. These organisations may have existing relationship with MSD, however this is not required.

To be suitable, an organisation should:

• not be for profit
• not be public sector, e.g. central or local government or a Crown entity
• have an internal organisation structure, e.g. has defined key functions, roles and responsibilities
• be self-governing – the organisation primarily controls its own management and operations
• not be something people are required to contribute time to by law, e.g. jury duty.

Organisations are not suitable if:

• they have previously breached employment law, or
• their area of focus would likely be inappropriate or unacceptable to the wider community, or
• a partner completing Community Work Experience at this organisation is likely to be a reputational risk to MSD.

The organisation must be confident they can provide a partner with the required hours and 4 consecutive weeks needed to complete their Community Work Experience. If the organisation is unsure, the position would not be suitable for the partner.

Note partners may secure multiple positions to complete their Community Work Experience. For more information see: Period of Community Work Experience.

To be suitable, a position should:

• be for a role that would otherwise be met by a volunteer, e.g. is not a role that would normally be paid employment
• have activities that are reasonable and fair for the partner to complete – for example, a position that requires a lot of work on the computer would not be suitable for a partner with low computer literacy
• not put the personal safety of the partner or others at risk
• not include activities that could be considered inappropriate or may damage MSD's reputation, e.g. serving alcohol, being involved in gambling, or supporting particular political gain

Example

Donna has Community Work Experience imposed and is searching for a suitable organisation and position.

Donna contacts her local rugby club to see if they have any volunteer positions available that would help her to meet the Community Work Experience requirements. The rugby club can offer Donna at least 5 hours of work for 4 weeks, but tells her they mostly need her help to run the bar. Donna gets in touch with MSD and tells MSD what the position will involve.

Although the rugby club is a suitable organisation, it's not appropriate for Donna to be serving alcohol as part of her Community Work Experience, as this could damage MSD's reputation. Donna is advised that the work needed at the rugby club is not suitable for the purpose of the sanction, and to continue looking for a suitable position.