Unpaid internships.....

PlutoinCapricorn

Many of the people who become interns are subsidised by their parents - that is how they can afford to do it.

I have seen a few interns in the charity sector being offered jobs if they show aptitude for the work and there is a need for their services.

getmore4less

dizzyrascal wrote: »

If you are "working" in a proper job the law says you should be paid the minimum wage at the very least.

WHen was the law changed so you have to pay volunterrs?

gibson123

An intern is not a volunteer, a volunteer is some-one who works for free to contribute to a charitable cause or to contribute to their community. They donate their time (rather than their money) to a cause. Interns have no legal status you are either a worker or a volunteer, if you are not a volunteer then you are a worker and entitled to be paid. IMHO if you are working for an organisation that makes a profit then you are a worker not a volunteer.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/TheNationalMinimumWage/DG_198089

jason1231972

Internships appear to favour the financially privileged, for whom working 'for free' doesn't bring the wolf to the door. Hence why many of the most coveted internships are dominated by ex-public school types. Heck, some people pay very substantial sums of money to secure an internship!

If jobs are thin on the ground but you want/need experience, volunteering (if available in your field) is a different kettle of fish and may be an option to explore, even if it means volunteering around an unrelated and perhaps undesirable job in order to make ends meet in the short term.

johnnymorrison66

One theme that seems to be running through a lot of threads is the exploitation of people who are desperate or vulnerable for whatever reason. People seem to be damned for trying to do the right thing. I think it shows the nastiness that is at the heart of those controlling our country; and I have to say is often reflected in some harsh judgemental replies. These are difficult times- it's time to pull together, but we should note those that are exploiting the situation. So shout out loud, name and shame, and for crying out loud vote with your feet and your wallet/ purse whenever you can. So my question is, who was the 'Employer' because I am not going to give them my business if I find out-and I dont care if they all do it-I'll start here and if enough people do it-that's how things get changed; by action not indifference or defeat!

k12479

gibson123 wrote: »

Interns have no legal status you are either a worker or a volunteer, if you are not a volunteer then you are a worker and entitled to be paid. IMHO if you are working for an organisation that makes a profit then you are a worker not a volunteer.[URL="http://"][/URL]

While some interns do profitable work, others do things like shadowing and tasks which, if interns weren't around to do, no one else would be hired for. Forcing businesses to pay these roles may well result in fewer opportunities for inexperienced people to get into an industry.

gibson123

k12479 wrote: »

While some interns do profitable work, others do things like shadowing and tasks which, if interns weren't around to do, no one else would be hired for. Forcing businesses to pay these roles may well result in fewer opportunities for inexperienced people to get into an industry.

I don't disagree with the concept or supporting people to do work experience, in fact in the organisation I work with, I actively encourage this. but any more than 6 weeks full-time you have to ask how much more shadowing and made up tasks can be done. The problem is where the intern is being unpaid for up to a year, in extreme cases more than a year, expected to work at the convenience of the organisation, work a full day and as I have even heard of a case where the "employer" made it difficult for an unpaid intern to take holidays. it all needs to be tightened up, why do we not make it legal for an intern to work for up to 6 weeks unpaid but still claim benefits, but limit the amount of internships that a business can do unless they convert into work, so that we stop the exploitation. We are not talking about decent businesses here, but those that want to take advantage of free labour. No-one should expect to work for more than 6 weeks without pay, I certainly could not afford to do so.. could you?

**Juice**

It isn't fair but is really common in certain industries - it's a shame as it favours those who already have money at their disposal.

getmore4less

getmore4less wrote: »

WHen was the law changed so you have to pay volunterrs?

gibson123 wrote: »

An intern is not a volunteer, a volunteer is some-one who works for free to contribute to a charitable cause or to contribute to their community. They donate their time (rather than their money) to a cause. Interns have no legal status you are either a worker or a volunteer, if you are not a volunteer then you are a worker and entitled to be paid. IMHO if you are working for an organisation that makes a profit then you are a worker not a volunteer.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/TheNationalMinimumWage/DG_198089

Any business can use volunteers it is not restricted to any business type like charities or profit status.

You may be confusing

Volunteers with Voluntary workers

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/TheNationalMinimumWage/DG_175114

The issue is they are volunteers or workers or employees or self employed or..........

intern does not define employment status, what you do does.


http://www.worksmart.org.uk/rights/viewquestion.php?eny=898

The_One_Who

johnnymorrison66 wrote: »

So shout out loud, name and shame, and for crying out loud vote with your feet and your wallet/ purse whenever you can. So my question is, who was the 'Employer' because I am not going to give them my business if I find out-and I dont care if they all do it-I'll start here and if enough people do it-that's how things get changed; by action not indifference or defeat!

Considering politics is one of the hotbeds of unpaid internships, you may struggle with taking your money elsewhere. Although you could ask your own elected representatives if they use unpaid interns (not all interns are unpaid!) and start from there. Charities and aid organisations are other big players.

k12479 wrote: »

While some interns do profitable work, others do things like shadowing and tasks which, if interns weren't around to do, no one else would be hired for. Forcing businesses to pay these roles may well result in fewer opportunities for inexperienced people to get into an industry.

No one should shadow for a long time. I'd say two weeks would be more than adequate for a role that was simply shadowing. If they are going to be there for more than that, then they should ask about the possibility of undertaking some proper tasks. In fact, I've found that it is much, much easier to obtain a shadowing opportunity than it is to find an internship, whether paid or unpaid. However, shadowing isn't quite as beneficial, but at least most people would be able to pay for and access a two week opportunity.