Unpaid Internships: A Look At The Confusing Standards, Negative Impacts, And Why The U.S. Needs To Utilize The Apprenticeship Model
Open Access
Author:
Rendar, Mia
Area of Honors:
Legal Environment of Business
Degree:
Bachelor of Science
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Fiona Marie Greaves, Thesis Supervisor Daniel Robert Cahoy, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
Internships business law employment law FLSA unpaid apprenticeship
Abstract:
Unpaid internships occur in many companies in nearly every industry. Students work in varying capacities without remuneration, and the practice is rationalized by the idea that it gives students valuable professional experience. However the experience is often eclipsed by the cost to the student, the economic impact, and other negative societal impacts. These issues demonstrate a pattern of exploitation and a need for change.
In order to curb exploitation of these workers, the Department of Labor issued a six-part test to determine whether an intern can rightfully be considered an employee. Despite their attempt at clarifying the matter, a litany of contradictory court cases and internal investigations establish that the regulation is not enough to solve the problems caused by unpaid internships. Many organizations have taken a stance on the matter, and through a study of their opinions, a set of recommendations are forthcoming that most principally suggests a shift in the paradigm of the unpaid internship experience to an apprenticeship model.
