Student Internships: What Employers Need to Know
Recent press coverage has shined a spotlight on student intern programs, including the issue of whether unpaid internships comply with applicable laws. In fact, many may not, and federal and state agencies are stepping up enforcement efforts regarding unpaid internships as part of a renewed focus on wage/hour compliance generally. Employers with internship programs should carefully analyze whether they meet the criteria for unpaid interns or whether such individuals are actually employees entitled to minimum wages and overtime payments.