Voluntary vs. Mandatory — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 6, 2024
Voluntary actions are undertaken by choice and without coercion, focusing on individual freedom, whereas mandatory actions are required by law or rules, emphasizing compliance and obligation.
Difference Between Voluntary and Mandatory
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Voluntary actions are performed out of one's free will, reflecting personal decisions or preferences. On the other hand, mandatory actions are imposed by authority or regulation, necessitating adherence regardless of personal choice.
In a legal context, voluntary compliance means adhering to guidelines or laws without being compelled, while mandatory requirements are legally enforceable, with potential penalties for non-compliance.
Voluntary participation often leads to greater enthusiasm and commitment because participants choose to be involved, whereas mandatory participation can be met with resistance or minimal effort since individuals are compelled to participate.
Voluntary programs typically encourage involvement through incentives or benefits, appealing to personal or collective interests. Conversely, mandatory programs enforce participation through statutes or policies, ensuring uniform compliance.
The impact of voluntary actions often depends on individual initiative and motivation, which can vary widely. In contrast, the impact of mandatory actions is generally consistent, as compliance is uniformly required.
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Comparison Chart
Basis of Action
Choice and personal freedom
Law, rules, or authority
Compliance
Optional and self-motivated
Required and enforced
Consequences
Generally no legal penalties for non-participation
Legal or formal penalties for non-compliance
Motivation
Personal interest, benefit, or altruism
Compliance with regulations or directives
Nature of Impact
Can vary depending on individual commitment
Uniform, as adherence is compulsory
Compare with Definitions
Voluntary
Relating to acts of free will.
They were praised for their voluntary compliance with the guidelines.
Mandatory
Necessitated by authority.
The new regulations make it mandatory for all companies to comply.
Voluntary
Arising from personal motivation.
Voluntary work can be very rewarding.
Mandatory
Imposed as a necessary condition.
It is mandatory to wear helmets while riding a motorcycle.
Voluntary
Done by choice or without coercion.
He made a voluntary donation to the charity.
Mandatory
Obligatory; not optional.
The mandatory training session is scheduled for Monday.
Voluntary
Based on individual decision.
Participation in the survey is completely voluntary.
Mandatory
Enforced as a regulation.
There are mandatory safety checks before each flight.
Voluntary
Not compulsory; freely chosen.
The course offers a voluntary field trip at the end.
Mandatory
Required by law or rules; compulsory.
Attendance at these meetings is mandatory for all staff.
Voluntary
Done or undertaken of one's own free will
A voluntary decision to leave the job.
Mandatory
Required by law or mandate; compulsory
Wearing helmets was made mandatory for pedal cyclists
Voluntary
Acting or done willingly and without constraint or expectation of reward
A voluntary hostage.
Voluntary community work.
Mandatory
Variant spelling of mandatary
Voluntary
Normally controlled by or subject to individual volition
Voluntary muscle contractions.
Mandatory
Required or commanded by authority; obligatory
Attendance at the meeting is mandatory.
Voluntary
Capable of making choices; having the faculty of will
"This law of happiness ... resides in the exercise of the active capacities of a voluntary agent" (John Dewey).
Mandatory
Of, having the nature of, or containing a mandate.
Voluntary
Supported by contributions or charitable donations rather than by government appropriations
Voluntary hospitals.
Mandatory
Holding a League of Nations mandate over a territory.
Voluntary
Without legal obligation or consideration
A voluntary conveyance of property.
Mandatory
A mandatary.
Voluntary
Done intentionally but without premeditation or deliberation, as when under the influence of an intense emotional reaction
Voluntary manslaughter.
Mandatory
Obligatory; required or commanded by authority.
Attendance at a school is usually mandatory for children.
Voluntary
A short piece of music, often improvised on a solo instrument, played as an introduction to a larger work.
Mandatory
Of, being or relating to a mandate.
Mandatory Palestine
Voluntary
A piece for solo organ, often improvised, played before, during, or after a religious service.
Mandatory
(disc golf) A sign or line that require the path of the disc to be above, below or to one side of it.
Voluntary
A volunteer.
Mandatory
A person, organisation or state who receives a mandate; a mandatary.
Voluntary
Done, given, or acting of one's own free will.
Mandatory
Containing a command; preceptive; directory.
Voluntary
Done by design or intention; intentional.
If a man accidentally kills another by lopping a tree, it is not voluntary manslaughter.
Mandatory
Obligatory; compulsory; required by authority.
Voluntary
Working or done without payment.
Mandatory
Not optional; not able to be modified or disregarded; as, seven mandatory clauses in the contract.
Voluntary
Endowed with the power of willing.
Mandatory
Same as Mandatary.
Voluntary
Of or relating to voluntarism.
A voluntary church, in distinction from an established or state church
Mandatory
The recipient of a mandate
Voluntary
(obsolete) Voluntarily.
Mandatory
A territory surrendered by Turkey or Germany after World War I and put under the tutelage of some other European power until they ar able to stand by themselves
Voluntary
(music) A short piece of music, often having improvisation, played on a solo instrument.
Mandatory
Required by rule;
In most schools physical education are compulsory
Attendance is mandatory
Required reading
Voluntary
A volunteer.
Voluntary
A supporter of voluntarism; a voluntarist.
Voluntary
Proceeding from the will; produced in or by an act of choice.
That sin or guilt pertains exclusively to voluntary action is the true principle of orthodoxy.
Voluntary
Unconstrained by the interference of another; unimpelled by the influence of another; not prompted or persuaded by another; done of his or its own accord; spontaneous; acting of one's self, or of itself; free.
Our voluntary service he requires.
She fell to lust a voluntary prey.
Voluntary
Done by design or intention; intentional; purposed; intended; not accidental; as, if a man kills another by lopping a tree, it is not voluntary manslaughter.
Voluntary
Of or pertaining to the will; subject to, or regulated by, the will; as, the voluntary motions of an animal, such as the movements of the leg or arm (in distinction from involuntary motions, such as the movements of the heart); the voluntary muscle fibers, which are the agents in voluntary motion.
Voluntary
Endowed with the power of willing; as, man is a voluntary agent.
God did not work as a necessary, but a voluntary, agent, intending beforehand, and decreeing with himself, that which did outwardly proceed from him.
Voluntary
Free; without compulsion; according to the will, consent, or agreement, of a party; without consideration; gratuitous; without valuable consideration.
Voluntary
Of or pertaining to voluntaryism; as, a voluntary church, in distinction from an established or state church.
Voluntary
One who engages in any affair of his own free will; a volunteer.
Voluntary
A piece played by a musician, often extemporarily, according to his fancy; specifically, an organ solo played before, during, or after divine service.
Voluntary
One who advocates voluntaryism.
Voluntary
(military) a person who freely enlists for service
Voluntary
Composition (often improvised) for a solo instrument (especially solo organ) and not a regular part of a service or performance
Voluntary
Of your own free will or design; not forced or compelled;
Man is a voluntary agent
Participation was voluntary
Voluntary manslaughter
Voluntary generosity in times of disaster
Voluntary social workers
A voluntary confession
Voluntary
Controlled by individual volition;
Voluntary motions
Voluntary muscles
Common Curiosities
What does voluntary mean?
Voluntary refers to actions taken by choice, without external compulsion or obligation.
Can a mandatory activity ever become voluntary?
An activity can shift from mandatory to voluntary if regulations change or if the activity is no longer required by law but is still encouraged.
What is meant by mandatory?
Mandatory refers to something that is obligatory or required, often enforced by law or regulation.
What are the benefits of voluntary participation?
Voluntary participation often leads to higher satisfaction and motivation since individuals participate out of choice.
How do voluntary and mandatory actions differ?
Voluntary actions are based on personal choice, whereas mandatory actions are required and enforced by an authority.
How can organizations encourage voluntary compliance?
Organizations can encourage voluntary compliance by offering incentives, creating awareness, and highlighting the benefits of participation.
Why are some actions made mandatory?
Actions are made mandatory to ensure safety, fairness, or efficiency, especially in matters affecting public well-being or regulatory compliance.
Can voluntary actions have legal implications?
While voluntary actions are typically free of direct legal implications, they can sometimes lead to legal consequences if they infringe on laws or regulations.
What are the consequences of not following mandatory rules?
Non-compliance with mandatory rules can lead to legal penalties, fines, or other disciplinary actions.
What is an example of a mandatory requirement in the workplace?
A common mandatory requirement in the workplace is adhering to occupational safety and health regulations.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
