Unpaid internship - any help available?

Amanda65

Hi all

I am sure the answer will be no but thought it worth asking you knowledgeable lot just in case.

DD1 has just finished a 3 year degree and gained a BA in fashion design. Unfortunately openings are very few and far between and empolyers expect you to have done internships to gain work experience before they will look at considering job offers. DD is currently undertaking a 6 week unpaid position in London and it is costing £20 a day (train fare / station parking) minimum to get her there and back, which we are having to help her with.

I am pretty certain that she can't claim JSA as she is not able to sign on (although would be available for interview if an opportunity arose) but wondered if there was any help available? It does seem a bit unfair that employers can effectively get 'free labour' - and I know it isn't just the fashion industry that does this. She works when she can at the weekends at a part-time job she has had since she was 13 but this is very ad hoc and really just puts petrol in her car (to get her to station etc.) and pays her car insurance.

Anyone any suggestions?

KxMx

The only thing I can suggest is to find another job outside the industry, save up for a few years, and then continue with her chosen career path.

The "free labour" concept may be unfair but your DD presumably went into it with her eyes wide open and chose to do this as part of her career path.

Voyager2002

People are allowed to do some voluntary work while claiming JSA. The basic condition is that they continue to be available for work and declare that they would be willing to give up the internship immediately if a suitable job were to be offered. I think there is also a limit on the number of hours that can be worked each week.

Note that the amount of any income above five pounds each week (including refunds of travel expenses and part-time earinings) is deducted pound for pound from the amount of JSA paid.

jacques_chirac

There is an argument that the company should be paying her minimum wage, but the likelihood is if she mentioned that she wouldn't be there tomorrow I find it pretty shocking they do not offer a subsistence allowance though, especially being in London.

You are correct, she cannot claim JSA as she is not available for and actively seeking work.

jacques_chirac

Voyager2002 wrote: »

People are allowed to do some voluntary work while claiming JSA. The basic condition is that they continue to be available for work and declare that they would be willing to give up the internship immediately if a suitable job were to be offered. I think there is also a limit on the number of hours that can be worked each week.

Note that the amount of any income above five pounds each week (including refunds of travel expenses and part-time earinings) is deducted pound for pound from the amount of JSA paid.

If the lady is in a role that she would otherwise expect payment for, and it is not a charity, this would not fulfil the rules for voluntary work.

Amanda65

KxMx wrote: »

The only thing I can suggest is to find another job outside the industry, save up for a few years, and then continue with her chosen career path.

The "free labour" concept may be unfair but your DD presumably went into it with her eyes wide open and chose to do this as part of her career path.

Yes she did thank you and is not stupid. She is continuing to apply for jobs within her chosen industry at the moment and hopefully something may come out of the hard work she has put into her degree

Amanda65

jacques_chirac wrote: »

There is an argument that the company should be paying her minimum wage, but the likelihood is if she mentioned that she wouldn't be there tomorrow I find it pretty shocking they do not offer a subsistence allowance though, especially being in London.

You are correct, she cannot claim JSA as she is not available for and actively seeking work.

Indeed, but life isn't fair and DD is aware that she has chosen a highly competitive career path. This internship was through a friend of a friend situation - many of the ones she is applying for after this ends do seem at least to pay something towards travel costs. As this is for a very small design label though she is gaining some excellent experience which hopefully will stand her in good stead.

I was pretty certian no help would be available but thought it worth the ask. Thanks for the helpful replies.

Jobseeeker

its very unusual that they don't pay expenses! no harm in asking..

pmlindyloo

Jobseeeker wrote: »

its very unusual that they don't pay expenses! no harm in asking..

From my reading I believe that some councils will actually award JSA under these circumstances.

Certainly unpaid internships have been the subject of much debate and the question of whether notional income (ie. claimant has chosen to do a job and not be paid) might make your daughter ineligible. Plus, of course, she would not be job seeking.

However, the Job Centre may consider this to be work experience and decide that she is entitled to JSA.

My 'gut' feeling (without any evidence) is that she would not be eligible but 'don't ask, don't get'

Certainly I believe that her 'employer' should be paying some expenses but of course this has to be weighed up against their right to not allow her to continue.

Amanda65

pmlindyloo wrote: »

From my reading I believe that some councils will actually award JSA under these circumstances.

Certainly unpaid internships have been the subject of much debate and the question of whether notional income (ie. claimant has chosen to do a job and not be paid) might make your daughter ineligible. Plus, of course, she would not be job seeking.

However, the Job Centre may consider this to be work experience and decide that she is entitled to JSA.

My 'gut' feeling (without any evidence) is that she would not be eligible but 'don't ask, don't get'

Certainly I believe that her 'employer' should be paying some expenses but of course this has to be weighed up against their right to not allow her to continue.

She is actively job seekeing and sending off CV's, portfolio etc. every evening when home and when she can find a contact and would obviously be available for interview if something came up, but isn't sitting at home every day. I might just get her to give our local JSP a quick call and enquire - as you say there's no harm in asking although like you feel it unlikely. Thank you

ArtoDeeto

Amanda65 wrote: »

SI might just get her to give our local JSP a quick call and enquire - as you say there's no harm in asking although like you feel it unlikely. Thank you

She can claim if she's willing to look around - being nosey how long has she been volunteering?

I hate to tell you but 'fashion design' is what is known in the trade as a "mickey mouse" degree - four years wasted. OK not wasted but it isn't going to lead her straight into a job, that said any degree is a plus.