Under Labor Code 3300, a private nonprofit organization acting solely as sponsor of a person who, as a condition of sentencing by a court, is performing services for the organization is considered which?

• A. Employer
• B. Employee
• C. Independent contractor
• D. Volunteer

Answer: (D)

In workers’ compensation terms, the relationship that exists between the person performing services and the hosting organization determines whether the person is an employee or a volunteer. When a private nonprofit acts solely as a sponsor and the individual performs services as a condition of court sentencing, there is no hire or payroll relationship. The person is providing services without compensation to the organization, so they are classified as a volunteer rather than as an employee.

This fits because the arrangement is not a contract of hire, not a typical employer-employee setup, and the services are tied to a court-ordered obligation rather than a work-for-pay relationship. The other options imply some form of payroll, contract, or ongoing control typical of employment or independent contracting, which isn’t present in this scenario.