Am I now being exploited at work? I would value your opinion

Posted by TheHolyBoar@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 11 comments

Hey I hope this is ok to post here. so I started as a volunteer with this charity which I am grateful for, not having much experience in this sector before. It’s a very friendly team, but less than 10 employees. After a year they gave me a short term, monthly rolling contract for a summer.

Long story short, I am still on a monthly rolling contract 2 years later. I have asked when my contract runs out, if they can guarantee me more work but they say they can’t promise anything. There has always been a coworker with the job description I now have, but their position is permanent, whereas mine is not. I am now completing tasks they can’t, and at a faster rate. I have learnt how to undertake various skills, and I now cover for my manager and colleagues on multiple tasks that they were doing before I arrived. I am only on minimum wage though and they earn ~40k.

I understand the coworker with the same job description had that job before me, so I can’t take it. Someone did tell me they earn more than me, which I found disheartening. I also realise it is a charity (although they seem to be doing ok financially) I am not doing any decision making and calling the shots, just doing what I’m told though, so perhaps I can’t complain. I also feel like I need to be grateful and loyal as they took me on as a volunteer.