Internal Investigations and Volunteers
When a nonprofit suspects that someone in the organization might be engaged in wrongdoing, it can be particularly traumatic because the nonprofit team works together to make the world a better place, according to an article published by Lynch Service Company. If someone on the team is accused of fraud, embezzlement, or harassment, leadership handle an investigation carefully and appropriately.
Nonprofit investigations are often unique because volunteers might be important witnesses, and the nonprofit might not be able to learn much about the situation if volunteers don’t cooperate with the investigation. Since volunteers are often critical witnesses, is it possible for nonprofits to require them to cooperate with an investigation? In order to answer that question, we begin by considering whether or not an organization is able to compel employees to cooperate with an investigation. After all, if employees cannot be forced to speak with an investigator, it seems unlikely that a nonprofit could require cooperation from volunteers.
The article continues with a discussion of the obligations and rights an organization has with regards to volunteers.
