The Score: Talking points from the world of sport
Melbourne says a job ad which asked applicants to work up to 25 hours a week for free was “worded poorly” and has moved to clarify what the role would entail.
Melbourne has been forced to clarify a job advertisement which asked people to work for free in its football department.
With club budgets being slashed the Demons had what they described as “an exciting opportunity for 3-4 individuals to volunteer” for a number of roles across its football division.
The dates stated for the ‘Football Technology Pathway Progam’ were from December 2020 to October 2021 with contact hours varying from 10-25 hours per week.
It went on to say that the volunteer program would best suit students or graduates from either an exercise and sports science, information technology, statistical or multimedia background, who have a strong interest and understanding of AFL Football.
The advertisement, which was on the club‘s website, raised eyebrows on social media where the Demons were accused of engineering an 11-month no-pay work experience gig.
Melbourne moved quickly to explain the situation with chief executive Gary Pert admitting in a statement that the initial job description was “worded poorly”.
“The scope and intent of the program was to keep the time frame flexible, to allow us to accommodate students at any month of the proposed period,” Pert said.
“To be clear, this pathway program does not run for a total of 11 months. Instead, the duration of the program is predicated on the student‘s individual course requirements and no student’s hours will exceed the amount they need to complete their university unit.
“The club accepts that there were elements of the advertisement that were worded poorly and lacked clarity, and we will ensure this does not occur again.”
The impact of COVID-19 has caused massive changes to AFL clubs with numerous assistant coaches and team staffers let go in recent months.
And there is more carnage to come with the league slashing the “soft cap” on football department spending from nearly $10 million to $6 million.
An AFL club advertising for volunteers to work "10-25 hours per week" in an area of a football department shouldn't be happening in 2021 with the money now in footy. It's not work experience its an 11 month part time job with no pay.
— Ryan Reynolds (@Reynolds_R) November 30, 2020
Yes, the soft cap is coming down, but this is NOT the way to get around it. Mind-blowing any professional organisation could try and get away with this https://t.co/92LvVENbiO
— Oliver Caffrey (@ollycaffrey) December 1, 2020
Hey @melbournefc - don’t do this.
— Paige Cardona (@paigecardona) December 1, 2020
Do not ask people to work for you for free for 10-25 hours per week in your football department.
That is disgusting. https://t.co/6WuTWkywfW pic.twitter.com/v3vGNZMtiy
Imagine an AFL club advertising three to four ð˜¨ð˜³ð˜¢ð˜¥ð˜¶ð˜¢ð˜µð˜¦ ð˜±ð˜°ð˜´ð˜ªð˜µð˜ªð˜°ð˜¯ð˜´ in the football department worth up to 2.5 FTE between them for ð˜§ð˜³ð˜¦ð˜¦. Totally unpaid. 'Volunteer'.
— Michael Lamonato (@MichaelLamonato) December 1, 2020
Breathtaking.
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