Volunteering Charter

1.1 Principle

Volunteering on Spixes is part of a non-profit service exchange logic between travelers (Backpackers) and establishments (Professionals).

It is a voluntary and unpaid arrangement, based on:

• Occasional help provided by the Backpacker to the establishment
• In exchange for free accommodation and possibly meals or other non-monetary benefits

1.2 Absence of Employment Relationship

Volunteering on Spixes does not constitute an employed work relationship within the meaning of applicable labor law.

There is no subordination relationship between the Professional and the Backpacker:

• No employment contract
• No salary or remuneration
• No fixed imposed hours
• No strict result obligations
• Freedom to terminate the arrangement at any time

1.3 Distinction from Concealed Work

Legal volunteering is distinguished from concealed work by the following characteristics:

Legal volunteering:

• Non-profit service exchange
• Absence of subordination relationship
• Limited duration (generally a few hours per day)
• Non-monetary compensation (accommodation, meals)
• Informal and flexible arrangement

Concealed work (illegal):

• Paid or should-be-paid work performance
• Subordination relationship (orders, imposed hours, sanctions)
• Excessive duration (full-time equivalent)
• Absence of social and tax declaration

2.1 Verification of Legal Compliance

Professionals undertake to:

• Ensure that proposed arrangements comply with the legal framework for volunteering in their country
• Not establish a disguised employment relationship under the guise of volunteering
• Respect immigration laws and Backpackers' visa conditions

2.2 Mandatory Information in Offers

Volunteer offers must clearly specify:

• Nature of requested tasks (reception, cleaning, entertainment, gardening, etc.)
• Approximate duration of help per day (e.g., 4 hours/day, 5 days/week)
• Offered compensation (accommodation, meals, activities, etc.)
• Minimum and maximum stay duration
• Special conditions (required languages, specific skills, etc.)

2.3 Reception Conditions

Professionals undertake to:

• Provide decent accommodation compliant with sanitary standards
• Guarantee the Backpacker's safety within the establishment
• Respect the volunteer's privacy and dignity
• Not require dangerous, degrading or illegal tasks
• Provide necessary equipment for task completion (if applicable)

2.4 Insurance and Coverage

Professionals are encouraged to:

• Verify that the Backpacker has valid travel insurance (health, repatriation, civil liability)
• Subscribe to professional civil liability insurance covering volunteers present in the establishment
• Inform the Backpacker of potential risks related to requested tasks

3.1 Verification of Their Rights

Backpackers undertake to:

• Ensure they have the legal right to volunteer in the country concerned (visa, immigration conditions)
• Verify that their visa authorizes unpaid volunteering (some tourist visas prohibit it)
• Inquire about local legislation regarding volunteering

3.2 Mandatory Insurance

Important: Backpackers must imperatively subscribe to comprehensive travel insurance covering:

• Medical care and hospitalization
• Medical repatriation
• Civil liability (damage caused to third parties)
• Cancellation and stay interruption (recommended)

Spixes disclaims all responsibility in case of absence of insurance.

3.3 Respect for Commitments

Backpackers undertake to:

• Respect the terms of the arrangement agreed with the Professional
• Perform accepted tasks in good faith and seriously
• Respect the establishment's internal regulations
• Adopt respectful behavior towards staff and other guests
• Notify the Professional in case of impediment or wish to terminate the arrangement

3.4 Freedom to Leave

Backpackers retain at all times the freedom to terminate the arrangement:

• No financial penalty may be required
• The Backpacker must simply inform the Professional within a reasonable time (generally 24 to 48 hours)
• The Professional may ask the Backpacker to leave the establishment immediately in case of non-compliance with rules

4.1 Technical Intermediary Role

Spixes acts solely as a technical intermediary facilitating connection between Professionals and Backpackers.

Spixes does not guarantee:

• The legality of arrangements concluded between parties
• Compliance with the legal framework for volunteering by Professionals
• The quality of reception conditions or proposed tasks
• The identity, honesty or qualifications of Users

4.2 Absence of Control

Spixes exercises no control over:

• The actual nature of concluded arrangements
• Actual conditions of volunteering
• Compliance with local legislation

4.3 Moderation Obligation

Spixes undertakes to:

• Moderate offers manifestly contrary to law or morality
• Delete accounts in case of reports of concealed work or exploitation
• Cooperate with competent authorities in case of investigation

4.4 Limitation of Liability

In accordance with ToU and ToS, Spixes's liability cannot be engaged in case of:

• Disputes between Professionals and Backpackers
• Non-compliance with local legislation by Users
• Accidents, injuries or damage occurring during volunteering
• Concealed work or exploitation discovered a posteriori

5.1 European Union

General principle: Unpaid volunteering is generally authorized in the EU, subject to:

• Absence of subordination relationship
• Reasonable duration (a few hours per day)
• Non-monetary compensation (accommodation, meals)

Visa: EU/EEA citizens may move freely. Third-country nationals must verify if their visa authorizes volunteering.

Examples of specific legislation:

• France: volunteering must remain occasional and not substitute for employed work (risk of reclassification as employment contract)
• Germany:volunteering is regulated by "Freiwilligendienst" (voluntary service)
• Spain: volunteering must be declared in certain cases (Ley de Voluntariado)

5.2 North America

United States: B-2 (tourist) visa does not authorize volunteering in exchange for accommodation or meals. A specific visa may be required.

Canada: Occasional volunteering is generally authorized under tourist visa, but excessive duration may be considered unauthorized work.

5.3 Latin America

Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Peru, Mexico: Volunteering is generally tolerated under tourist visa, but Users must verify local conditions.

5.4 Asia

Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia: Tourist visa generally does not authorize volunteering, even unpaid. A specific visa may be required.

5.5 Oceania

Australia: Volunteering is authorized with a Working Holiday Visa or specific visa. Tourist visa is not sufficient.

New Zealand: Working Holiday Visa authorizes volunteering in exchange for accommodation/meals.

6.1 Before Volunteering

For Backpackers:

• Check reviews on the Professional (on Spixes and other platforms)
• Exchange extensively with the Professional before arriving to clarify expectations
• Subscribe to comprehensive travel insurance
• Verify your visa and legal rights
• Prepare a plan B in case of problem (alternative accommodation, emergency funds)

For Professionals:

• Write a clear and honest offer description
• Verify the Backpacker's insurance before their arrival
• Provide a summary document of the arrangement (non-contractual, for information)
• Designate a reference person for the volunteer

6.2 During Volunteering

For Backpackers:

• Respect agreed hours (flexible)
• Communicate in case of problem or misunderstanding
• Report any dangerous or inappropriate situation
• Keep a record of exchanges (messages, photos)

For Professionals:

• Respect volunteering limits (no excessive tasks)
• Listen to Backpacker feedback
• Maintain a safe and respectful environment

6.3 In Case of Dispute

1. Direct dialogue: Attempt to resolve the problem amicably through discussion.
2. Mediation: Contact Spixes support: contact@wearespixes.com (informal mediation role, without decision-making power).
3. Reporting: If the situation is serious (exploitation, danger, concealed work), report:
   • On the Platform: "Report" button
   • By email: contact@wearespixes.com
   • To local authorities (labor inspection, police)

7.1 Situations to Report

Any User may report:

• Manifestly illegal volunteer offers (concealed work, excessive hours)
• Dangerous or unsanitary reception conditions
• Abusive behavior (harassment, discrimination, exploitation)
• Scams or fraud attempts
• Abusive behavior in Social Space (harassment, spam, fake events, illegal groups)

7.2 Reporting Procedure

Reporting via:

• "Report" button on the offer or profile concerned
• Email: contact@wearespixes.com
• Contact form on the Platform

7.3 Report Processing

Spixes undertakes to:

• Examine each report within a reasonable time
• Take appropriate measures (warning, suspension, account deletion)
• Inform the reporter of the follow-up (as far as possible)
• Cooperate with competent authorities in case of investigation