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Unpaid interns in films like The Devil Wears Prada and The Internship go through hell and back to make their mark in the industry. And the exploitation and abuse they experience isn’t too far removed from reality. We’ve all heard horror stories about students emerging from internships overworked and duped — but they didn’t soak up an ounce of real world skills.
Now, not all companies take advantage of their unpaid interns and use them as cheap labor; some employers provide great career development resources for their interns. But don’t think you won’t be running a few errands — you do have to “pay your dues” so to speak. But when does it go too far and become exploitation? We’ll tell you exactly how you can tell you’re being used and abused!
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Feeling Overwhelmed
If you find yourself balancing a tray of hot Starbucks coffee in one hand and an overflowing manila folder in the other while listening to your boss’ demands on the phone, you’re being used and abused, honey! Internships can certainly be stressful, which is normal. But if the company seems to be piling all its burdens on your back, there’s something wrong with this picture.
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Feeling Underutilized
“Do you need any help?” you ask. “No, damn it!” disgruntled employees say, shooing you away. If this is a common response, maybe it’s time for you to ditch your internship. You’re not accumulating any experience or gaining knowledge. You’re simply wasting your time and pissing off the staff.
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Taking Over A Paid Employee’s Duties
Ever hear the “Hey intern! Take over for a bit; I’ll be back in an hour”? Under the Department of Labor (DOL), a company cannot hire an unpaid intern to take over a paid employee’s position. As an intern, you are supposed to work side-by-side with the staff – not take over their tasks and duties.
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No Mentoring or Apprenticeship
If you’re getting as much supervision as the rest of the paid staff, which is usually little to none, you’re supposed to be considered a regular employee — W-2 and all — as stated by the DOL. If you’re left unsupervised, yet given tasks that you’re clearly too inexperienced to tackle, you’re being scammed out of a quality internship.
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Being Asked to Work Overtime
“Think you can stay a little bit longer to help finish up?” You would like to answer that question with a resounding “Hell no!”
This question definitely puts you in a pickle: “Should I stay overtime to show my ambition or should I decline?” The employer knows they’ve got you cornered; interns want to demonstrate their drive. But you need to put your foot down and tell em’ you know the law.
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You Are The Company Support System
According to the DOL, if a company cannot sustain itself without the help of an unpaid intern, it is running an illegal operation. In essence, an intern is supposed to shadow and soak up experience from the work staff – not be the company’s pillars and support system.
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Can You Go Pick Up My Dry Cleaning?
“Oh, just make the intern do it,” a staff member may say, demeaning your position at work. Running next door to get coffee and a muffin, especially if you’re getting good training, isn’t such a big deal. But being asked to pick up one’s dry cleaning is a little bit much!
If you are simply “picking up the slack” for employees or running personal errands, but not engaging in any core field experience, you’re being exploited. Though you’re not being paid, you should have just as much respect as the other employees at the company.
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Interns Are the Only Source of Labor
Look around, especially if it’s a small business, it’s possible that interns may be the only source of labor in the company. According to the DOL, that’s very illegal. Companies shouldn’t think of you as an opportunity for cheap labor, but as “an opportunity to give back to your community and your industry,” Time says.
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Your Internship Benefits Your Employer
Now let’s be honest, no employer would hire an unpaid intern without reaping some kind of benefit. But the DOL says that “the unpaid intern cannot be of immediate benefit to the employer.” By “immediate”, the DOL means, for example, that a journalism company cannot publish a final copy of your work (for the exception of weekly, semiweekly, and small daily news papers). Your boss can’t use your skills, make cash off it, while you remain unpaid.
However, the only reason you’re putting in blood, sweat, tears – without pay – is to gain real world experience to snag a respectable career. And if you’re receiving half-assed training while you’re giving your all, maybe it’s time to turn in your letter of resignation.
