Final answer:
Volunteers are generally not covered by the same extensive legal protections as employees, as labor laws primarily focus on the employer-employee relationship regarding compensation and working conditions. However, volunteers do have some legal protections; the extent of these protections can vary based on local laws and the nature of the volunteer work.
Step-by-step explanation:
Volunteers do not typically have the same legal protections as employees under labor laws. The reason for this is that labor laws are designed to govern the employer-employee relationship, offering protections concerning discrimination, wages, benefits, and working conditions. Since volunteers are not compensated for their time, they fall outside the scope of most employment laws. However, this does not mean that volunteers are without any legal protections at all. There are laws in place to protect volunteers from certain types of harm and ensure safe working conditions, but these are generally not as extensive as those for paid employees.
For example, laws to protect employees from discrimination in the workplace are enforced by entities like the U.S. Department of Labor. These laws cover aspects of employment such as hiring, firing, and promotions. On the contrary, the legal protection for volunteers against discrimination is not as clear-cut and depends on the specific circumstances and applicable local laws.
Moreover, changes in labor law aimed at balancing power between workers and employers, such as those advocating for minimum wage or supporting powerful unions, do not usually apply to volunteer arrangements. While these laws and restrictions can impact employment rates and employer decisions, they are not traditionally relevant to volunteer positions because volunteers are not compensated for their services.