The season of internship hunting is upon us. Everyone hopes to get a paid gig, so they can pay the bills or avoid living with your parents or a generous relative. Unfortunately in this economy, not a lot of companies can afford to splurge on positions that low on the totem pole. All of this makes unpaid internships a good deal for employers, and sometimes for interns. Employers get the workers they need, and interns get the experience they need. A win-win.
Except when it's not. There are six federal legal criteria that companies must meet to justify not paying the intern, such as having a structured education plan for the benefit of the intern. Another criteria --and this is the one that likely brought up the issue--states that unpaid interns should never displace a regular employee. It's a tempting thing for companies to do when money is tight and students are willing to do anything for a good-looking resume.
According to the New York Times, the Department of Labor in Oregon, California and other states have recently begun investigations.
So if you end up answering phones, making copies and fetching coffee without the benefit of a paycheck, it's probably illegal. First bring it up with the company's human resources department. If nothing happens, file a wage claim with your state's Department of Labor. Still not getting any traction? Leave--if you're not getting paid and not getting the experience you were promised, your time will probably be better spent looking for a different internship or volunteering somewhere that really needs the help.
--Jennie
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