Tue, 07/08/2014
If you are interning for a company and receiving no money and no educational credit, and you are thinking that you are overworked, underpaid and unappreciated, than legally, you are correct. We are seeing a trend among companies being sued for taking advantage of interns. Suits have been filed against companies such as Def Jam Records, the L.A. Clippers and Coach, Inc., for failing to pay their interns anything- and neglecting to pay them at least minimum wage.
Why? Companies have developed a tactical scheme in which they continue to take advantage of innocent interns who are hoping for a significant reward for the free work they’ve been producing, by (hopefully) someday getting a job in the industry. Unfortunately, companies take advantage of these hopes and dreams by unlawfully retaining unpaid interns and requiring them to work for free. This leaves them with little more than a resume builder and the hope that maybe they’ll catch their big break after the next 8 to 10 or more weeks of unpaid work. This is just one example of how companies can, and are willing to take advantage of individuals. The simple fact: Paid internships are more likely lead to job offers and higher starting salary than unpaid internships, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers.
In technical terms, according the complaint filed this week against Coach, Inc. in New York: “Defendant’s unlawful conduct has been pursuant to a corporate policy or practice of minimizing labor costs by denying plaintiff and the putative class members compensation in violation of the NYLL and its implementing regulations.”
So what are my rights? Simply put, if you are not receiving educational credit for your internship, legally you are not permitted to work for a private company for free, regardless of what fancy terms they use to describe your “internship.” This is a case of stealing work from the individual, and nobody should work for free. This is why court actions are being pursued to recover money for the unpaid internships.*Internships without pay are permitted for non-profits under conditions such that it is not a full time job and you are volunteering; internships are also permitted with government entities.
If you have any questions or would like any more information about your employment rights please visit our website at www.wmlaborlaw.com or e-mail us at info@wmlaborlaw.com.
