Interns and the Law: Structuring a Compliant Internship Program That Meets Wage and Hour Guidelines

Susan Gross Sholinsky, Member of the Firm, and Jennifer A. Goldman, Associate, present "Interns and the Law: Structuring a Compliant Internship Program That Meets Wage and Hour Guidelines," an audio conference sponsored by the Center for Competitive Management.

Unpaid interns, paid interns ?... are they employees or not?  What difference does it really make?  When it comes to wage and hour law, it makes a big difference.

Many states, including New York, California and Oregon, have launched investigations into internships for violating minimum wage laws. Regulators say violations are widespread, and with internships on the rise, the DOL's wage and hour division is stepping up enforcement nationwide.

Where does this leave your internship program? Does it comply with federal and state wage and hour laws? And if your interns are unpaid, does it comply with the six legal federal criteria that must be satisfied for internships to be unpaid?

If your program meets the requirements of the federal and state wage and hour laws, are there still employment issues under other laws, such as equal employment opportunity and unemployment benefits? 

Find out how to structure your internship program so that it meets wage and hour guidelines.  In this timely audio conference our employment law expert will walk you through how to minimize your organization's liability and lessen the risk of potential wage and hour related lawsuits. 

Course Highlights:

During this comprehensive session, you will learn: 

• Wage and hour requirements under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)and state law
• Unpaid internships: The criteria that must be met to avoid employment
• For-profit and non-profit: the different rules that govern these employers
• What constitutes pay? Money, academic credit, or other components?
• Critical language to include in any written or unwritten internship agreement
• Insurance coverage: Is Worker's Comp required for interns?

By the end of this 75-minute program, you'll also know: 

• Are employers liable for unemployment insurance payments for interns?
• What employers need to know about potential liability issues, such as discrimination, harassment  and other legal issues
• Are your interns better classified as employees?
• Developing an internship program with a school: Best practices
• Terminology: How an internship, apprenticeship and co-op learning differ
• Pros and cons of structuring an internship to lead into full employment
• Non-student interns: Special concerns for this category
• Handling complaints: What to do if WHD comes to visit

For more information, visit the Center for Competitive Management.