Miguenzo
121952
4158
63
Unpaid internships
Sep 19, 2019 1:25 PM
Miguenzo
121952
4158
63
aahz812
Do. Not. Do. Unpaid. Internships. You won’t get paid a lot but you deserve pay.
AncalagontheBlack
"I willingly came in to work every day with no expectation of being paid. This means they were stealing the time I freely gave them."
Jushtan
An aunt of mine went to prison for three years for steal over $30,000 worth of printer toner from her job and selling them on eBay.
IZ42
Unpaid internships are slavery, no ifs ans or buts. They should be abolished.
Seru666
In Finland one city was using unemployed for cleaning people's homes for 9 euro DAY and the people paid 30 for hour for cleaning.
wallybeavis
Looks like we know what happened next: https://www.abc15.com/news/crime/pd-four-person-ink-cartridge-theft-crew-caught-in-goodyear
themayorMcCheese
It's tough living off most hourly wages.. but, at the start of your adult life..pay rent and eat and stay sane and work for us.. pay? Ha!
Pacaruru
You're not stealing, your performing a real-time inventory correction process
zeacorzeppelin10
Adam ruins everything says unpaid internships are slavery
jellybeandaddyjl
After I went through college for a degree...anything with the word "unpaid" would get a good hearty laugh from me.
Mithos56
Many unpaid internships are illegal.
Kelsen45
It's your choice to take the job ya dummy.
Bossysailor
Jesus Christ, don't take an unpaid internship! Don't be stupid! Can't we just outlaw stupid?
ItsCaptain0bvious
This "When you see it" moment belongs here
PhyshStycc
The answer is to not take unpaid jobs
Sheepyhead
I mean they could pay all those internships. They just don't want to because the bourgeois on top wants .01% more capital.
Sensino
NEVER EVER do a unpaid internship. It's basically the company stealing money from YOU (your salary) AND thy prbly get money for you'reThere
SomeDetroitGuy
Most unpaid internships in the US are actually illegal.
AShartInTheWind
The idea of unpaid internships is just a form of financial discrimination. Normally, only the kids from rich families can afford to get the-
AShartInTheWind
-experience that certain internships provide.
jonnyc78
I approve unpaid internship? Wtf I'm from uk you get paid by the hour the day you can earn
Eldibs
Unpaid internships in the US are usually illegal. They can't have you performing secretary duties and actually have to teach you stuff.
AFistfulOfDollHairs
Adam ruins everything did an expose on this that revealed more than a couple problems with internships
NoWonderImStillAwake
That show is horrible, it has an agenda about every topic it discusses and presents entirely misleading information on that topic...
Necos
Didn't they change the name of that series to "Adam is wrong or intentionally misleading about everything"?
Someshithead241
I had to do work experience before I could even be considered for any job. I was basically a normal employee for 2 months, unpaid.
JHawke
I was offered a job quite literally with the text "you can start earning money in just 6 months", I might have been a bit cross after that.
PedestrianElectrobastard
Try six months.
Someshithead241
Well I need to spend the next 6 years getting paid less than the minimum wage of my coworkers simply because of my age.
PedestrianElectrobastard
I never managed to find a job when I was that young.
Christovsk
Smash capitalism yall. The ones with the most money are the least likely to shell it out for fair pay.
Christovsk
If the CEO can afford a private jet they can afford to pay a living wage to everyone under them without hurting their quality of life.
NoWonderImStillAwake
If you think your labor is more valuable, then leave and go work for a different company or increase your skill set, or start your own.
NoWonderImStillAwake
In a capitalist system, nobody is forced to do anything by anybody else, the choice is yours. I happen to be against use of force. You?
CheekyBreeki
Oh no, it will all trickle down if you pull yourself up by your bootstraps and learn to code whilst creating your own company and investing
Christovsk
Sure you can go bankrupt if you have a life-threatening injury or illness, but don't worry they'll bail you out just like the banks...wait
CheekyBreeki
Better than what those libs want..."free stuff"...sounds horrible.
NdotGreeze
Never expect an unpaid internship to lead to a fulltime position
YourFatMother
Unless it's on the boss' desk.
ticktockbent
Or under it
YourFatMother
Or on the floor by the trash can. Where these downvoters can put there opinions. ???
SomeDetroitGuy
One of the legal requirements of an unpaid internship is that it can NOT lead to a fulltime, paid position.
DukeLaserMaster
I wouldn't want to work for a company that did Unpaid Internships anyway. You already know what their about at that point.
Duendes
If unpaid internships are the only way to 'gain experience' to get a paid gig, you don't have much of a choice
DrSuvat
I’m slightly bothered/confused. What’s stopping you from choosing to go to a place with paid internships?
Duendes
If you don't have to pay for something (an intern) why do it?
IWouldLikeToGetOffThisRideNowPlease
Pyrethrum much any newspaper these days only offer unpaid internships until MAYBE 2 years down the road a staff position opens up
darkdragonempress
Lack of paid internships basically. The internship thing has a point but it’s been horrifically abused to cash in on free labor.
PedestrianElectrobastard
Hah hah, I've never even heard of anyone getting a paid internship.
13kevlop7
In my experience as a software engineer, pretty much all internships are paid.
SomeDetroitGuy
Do you not live in the US? My company hires over 1,000 interns every summer, all paid and full medical benefits.
taaboo
Full medical benefits........ for an intern? What company you work at?
PedestrianElectrobastard
No, I don't live in the US.
SkyxzStone
I did one a out 5 years ago and the letter of recommendation I got was why I was hired at my current job
Doumdidoum
I don't know anybody or heard about anybody hired because of an internship recommendation. Bullshit.
dogestyle
because they realized you'd work for minimal wages
SkyxzStone
Wasn’t asking for money, I knew the head of the department was a friend of the company I work at now.
NicolaVison
Amazing. Still free work for them tho
ProbablyDrunkAgain
"work"
SkyxzStone
Yea it was but honestly I enjoyed the experience I got from it, I know everyone isn’t the same but for me the money wasn’t an issue
apolloin
I wonder how much that letter cost at minimum wage?
NoWonderImStillAwake
Minimum wage is stupid
barnwolf
If the job it gets them pays enough, then it's kinda worth it. Entry level jobs that starts at $80,000+ a year can be really competitive.
drunkpanther
Great news! Still pretty shitty to not pay for your time!
SkyxzStone
Didn’t bother me honestly, I know it’s not the same for everyone though.
visorian
Oh cool you can work for free, why does anyone bother paying you?
SkyxzStone
visorian
I mean we can call each other names all day but the question still stands
Sparrowcide
Because you were able to financially support yourself while not getting paid. I'd be homeless and starving within a month. It's fucked up.
SkyxzStone
I could yes but that’s because I worked my butt off before college which allowed me to do so. Otherwise I’d say the same thing
AviMavi
I'm gonna guess that it didn't bother you because you were in a place for someone else to financially support you while you worked 1/?
AviMavi
Unpaid, right? So many people just flat out cannot afford to invest a substantial period of time doing work for no immediate reward. 2/2
drunkpanther
I mean people in the health industry have to go through this. It’s pretty fucking rough.
AviMavi
Not to rag on you or anything: I know you said you get why some people can't.
SkyxzStone
I know that’s why I said it’s not the same for everyone though. My life is different from others. What works for me may not work for you(1)
SonyHRVm3
I did one with the impression they would hire me. I was wrong.
MisterTangerineMan
Only 1? Amateur.
MadFamousLove
they're not legal here anymore, not even a little. they have to pay you if you work for them.
warp10
That's how they getcha
JudgeMentaI
you took too much toner
ThisNameIsNotAboutYou
So what did you steal?
veritasgear
No offense but that was your first mistake, though I can understand your frustration.
KerkylasOfAndros
Sorry to hear that, a good friend was doing one in my office for two years and she didn't get the job. I had mixed feelings when she left.
MorrighanWolf
So why are you still working there?
ThatOtherMacAvoyWoman
Mixed feelings?
Cherrygin
2 years?
SonyHRVm3
Two years, no pay?
waxwingslain
I actually saw someone suggest me to the boss when they were filling a vacancy. He contemplated it for a whole second. “No”. My last day.
Deathwing777
Could have been for a number of reasons
waxwingslain
Sure, I was young and inexperienced, but in hindsight that would have been true for any position. So why have me there at all?
Spidey209
"experience" and free labour. The experience taught you to recognise when you are being taken advantage of.
Deathwing777
It's important to learn this lesson asap in life
waxwingslain
Exactly.
Deathwing777
The goal should be networking, always network and make friends. Don't burn bridges.
HiddenSanity
That's unreliable at best, unpaid internships generally skirt more than a few laws
Me1iss0
That is like being paid with exposure, it is a strange concept and should not be the norm for upper level college students in debt.
Deathwing777
That's why you internships while in school not after.
Me1iss0
Being in graduate school and not being paid to work put me even farther in debt with no real job lined up. I don’t need your advice abt it.
Deathwing777
I worked two part time jobs while getting my masters full time, did an internship over the summer, and was newly married.
UnhelpfulAnswers
Why would they hire and pay you when they can get free labour
SonyHRVm3
It's honestly a scam
metsakutsu
You are free to not accept it, like any other scam, though.
MorrighanWolf
Its illegal.
DrRad
Sounds like you weren’t impressive. Sorry.
UnhelpfulAnswers
You sound like HR
Meatmissile3000
alternatively free labor sounds unimpressive
ularg
if you want impressive then impress me with your pay
Allanonshea1
Sounds like you're a dick. Not sorry.
SonyHRVm3
And what job do you currently try to hold?
TheMajesticHarpyEagle
You funny guy. You see guillotine last.
080080
UnhelpfulAnswers
Alternatively, you get what you pay for (or didn't pay for)
Deathwing777
By the amount of downvotes it looks like you hit some people on here with some truth they didn't like.
SonyHRVm3
They made me feel I was gonna get hired and I was doing great actually. Got me good
MorrighanWolf
More like look up the law regarding not paying interns....its nooot leegall
WhyDontYouMakeMe
It's actually illegal for them to imply that
Surisuule
I mean you're right, but how are you gonna sue them without a place to live or a lawyer?
NuclearMonk
wingineer
Spite, mainly. Report them to the State Atty General; doesn’t solve your financial problems, but you might be avenged/save others.
barnwolf
I don't see how it could end up as more than a complaint. Unless they were stupid enough to put it in an email.
WhyDontYouMakeMe
Most employers don't know it's illegal. I've seen several design internships that advertise the possibility of "joining the team"
Sasurau
Or fed Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division. Ain't no one happy having Uncle Sam frowning over their shoulder, all up in their shit.
MorrighanWolf
Sic the USAG on them
ratfaceddog
Yeah, that guy’s totally pro-labor.
DavidBrooker
If an unpaid intern is better value to your company than a paid one, then the position isn't complicated enough to warrant internships.
GaryFreakingOak
darthmocap
WarKittyKat
That's actually a decent summary of the law - if the internship primarily benefits the company rather than the student it's illegal.
Durtschi
So what about those situations where the company breaks even? Thinking of when I was an unpaid intern for a counseling center. Charged $25
Durtschi
per session which honestly didn't cover overhead (advertizing, rent, supervision etc).
misteroldschool
someone has to make the coffee
Andalite
Lol so I get to be your servant for nothing, and I’m meant to thank you for the privilege?
visorian
Then they should be paid
DevonGronka
If you're making coffee and running errands, you aren't learning anything and the company is straight up stealing at that point. an 1/2
DevonGronka
internship is *supposed* to only be unpaid if you are actually learning something from the experience, but I doubt its usually the case.
AShartInTheWind
An employee is not supposed to be unpaid even if they are only there for experience.
DevonGronka
I don't agree with unpaid internships at all; I'm just pointing out that there are standards for what the intern is supposed to get from it.
SnarkySophia
Also, unpaid internship on your resume tells everyone, "I'm willing to work for free."
Vereydonn
Just because they dont need your help doesnt mean you cant help them and learn at the same time. All my researchpapers where like that
Vereydonn
I was glad to have an (unpaid) internship at voluntary society because they thought me well & I had a place to get my “educational credits”
DavidBrooker
I don't think anybody has a problem with internships that are an integral component of a formal educational process.
visorian
There are unpaid internships which are little more then businessmen using loop holes to get free labor. Fyi
Vereydonn
Are those internships outside of school enviroment in USA? I dont think we have those in the Netherlands to be honest. Maybe I misunderstood
Vereydonn
@DavidBrooker same question
justmeandmycats
FuckGlitter
If your working. You should be paid.
InOtterSpace
You're
MatrimsCauffin
Not working hard enough obviously
DevonGronka
So we had a student from Denmark. When she learned that internships were often unpaid, she was just furious at the concept of it. Like, 1/2
DevonGronka
if the company is benefiting from you being there, you should be compensated fairly for your time. Our labor laws are so screwed up.
fnurglbhurg
They're more like... Guidelines... Savvy?
SomeDetroitGuy
US labor law has VERY strict conditions under which an internship can be unpaid. Most don't actually qualify.
DevonGronka
But our courts and enforcement bodies, when they exist, are too scared to actually go after businesses. It's crap.
Dustorn
Actually, she's entirely correct - in the US, if a company benefits from having an unpaid intern, that internship is illegal. Now, 1/2
DevonGronka
I realize that. It doesn't mean it doesn't happen all the time. It also doesn't mean it's ethical to not pay people for labor, either.
Dustorn
I'd presume that the law isn't that simple, but the point still stands that most unpaid internships ARE illegal.
klean9
Unpaid internships are BS.
GnomeDeGuerre
It's taxation without representation and worthy of a war of independence.
barnwolf
In my experience paid internships are kinda BS as well. You are getting paid, but you're not necessarily getting valuable experience.
CrazyCatLad
I never did an internship of any kind (did Freelance to hire after college) but yeah, unpaid internships are extortion.
BrutusGrimme
ImKimJongUnAndEverythingIsFine
jekath
Now now. It does have advantages. For the companies and stock holders.
Rhacodactylus
They're a way to keep the classes separate. Poor people are less likely to be able to afford unpaid work than kids from wealthier families
aestheticsentiment
I'm in this picture and I don't like it.
Rhacodactylus
So poorer people lose out on a lot of opportunities to gain experience, and experience sets apart job applicants
Aaronb1138
Well if time = money, then this seems like a scenario of a fool and his money are easily departed. Nobody is forced into internship.
villainousfungi
I was enrolled to work in a medical laboratory. Unpaid internship was required to get the diploma.
CliffWestern
Desperate people will allow themselves to be exploited in the hopes of a better future.
DefinitelynotEricTrump
Someone pointed out above it’s the opposite-poor kid graduates college with a ton of debt but can’t a job to gain experience in their field
DefinitelynotEricTrump
Poor kid goes into retail back at home to survive
DefinitelynotEricTrump
Rich kid graduates college without debt and their parents can set them up in a major city will they work for free to gain experience
CliffWestern
Nothing is all or none. Rich kids go at higher rates but poor kids absolutely do work internships. Only poor kids are accepting risk.
cbale2000
Depends, in some cases it's basically unpaid job training that you would otherwise have to go to school for.
Thalesin
Any job can be called "paid job training" though. Don't convince yourself that your time isn't worth reimbursement from the company.
AmbroseGudmaker
I got paid to be trained. They do that in civilised countries.
DevonGronka
How dare you tread on my freedom! USA #1. If I want to work under exploitative conditions, that's my right! (/s, in case it isn't clear)
AmbroseGudmaker
Haha! And I did mean to say "most" btw.
DevonGronka
We had a class mate from Denmark who was furious at the concept of unpaid internships. It's basically stealing your labor under the guise1/2
DevonGronka
of "providing education and experience". Like, I always had issues with it, but it was refreshing to see someone absolutely livid over 2/3
DevonGronka
it and like, "you know that's right. It IS just as screwed up as we always thought, and other companies do fine with a different system."
Nerubin
1 actual training vs 10 cases of being the coffee/mailman/not-letting-the dude/dudette-do-anything-relevant-bc-of-no-xp-slave. Laws needed.
cbale2000
The reason you have job postings asking for 5+ years experience for entry level jobs is because of laws like that.
darkdragonempress
No it’s not. It’s either them trying to get the best possible candidate for the cheapest price, a scam so they can abuse the H1B visa, or 1
darkdragonempress
The person writing the posting is a different department than the one hiring and therefore the butcher what’s really being looked for. 2
darkdragonempress
Actually those 10 cases are highly illegal and companies were being successfully sued and fined for it. An unpaid internship is supposed 1
darkdragonempress
To be you helping them with relevant to you work in exchange for filling in your skill gap and making proper connections. 2
Averyveryboredhighschoolteacher
We should really make it a crime. There should be a mandatory minimum salary
NoWonderImStillAwake
No we shouldn't make it a crime, nobody is compelling anybody to do anything...
Averyveryboredhighschoolteacher
It's a system that pretty much guarantees abuse. It needs to go
CliffWestern
You don't need a cudgel when you are targeting desperate people.
NoWonderImStillAwake
Desperate people tend not to take unpaid internships as they can't survive without pay for any appreciable amount of time...
CliffWestern
Desperate does not mean starving. People massively in debt need a future and can be exploited
13kevlop7
In not ready to take a side here, but I want to point out that illegal scams are also not compelling anybody to do anything
NoWonderImStillAwake
And what point are you trying to make there?
13kevlop7
Your argument for not making it illegal is that no one is being compelled, but no one is compelled in other scams which may in fact be (1/2)