Posted By BeSafe
Hazel,
The last two companies I have worked for have paid First Aiders (around £200 a year on anniversary of them passing their St Johns or Red Cross certificate)but none of the other volunteers. This has been paid out through payroll; I think it was taxable though, but not 100% sure.

It does seem to be a growing problem with volunteers wanting payment - surely this contradicts the definition of volunteer?!

I struggled to get fire wardens a few times; there was very much a culture of what's in it for me? I ended up arranging a visit to a local fire station for the fire wardens to be shown all of the equipment etc. This went down very favourably.

Posted By Darren J Fraser
Hi all

We do not offer any form of payment, we 'sell' the various benefits such as 1st aid is of benefit outside the company if you have a young family, one of our 1st aiders carries out volunteer work away from his job and his training has come in useful on quite a few occasions.
Some companies do provide payment, my own personal view is not to pay, as stated in the previous thread it can attract the 'wrong volunteers'.
We also make it part of our employees yearly appraisal system (this is all levels) that they must contribute to the company from a H&S viewpoint in addition to their normal work, e.g. risk assessment involvement, fire training, accident investigation techniques etc.

Posted By Alan Haynes
In the good old days of 'British Rail' - First Aiders used to get an extra days Annual Leave - increasing to 2 days leave after a few years as a First Aider.

I benefited from this system, and I felt this was better than cash - more useful and not taxable