We are a music related company in Atlanta, GA who works with local universities each semester to provide us with Interns. These students get college credit for their work. We have new candidates who want to work here but are not enrolled in a school program. Can we have them work here for nothing? Is that legal?
2007-01-16 04:12:22 · 6 answers · asked by gravityjag 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
PLEASE KEEP IN MIND - we have told these candidates there is no pay and they STILL WANT THE JOB - I would never ask anyone to work here for free - these people are volunteering.
2007-01-16 04:21:59 · update #1
I would think not.
2007-01-16 04:17:28 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is it legal? Well, maybe not necessarily ILlegal. But it is not very ethical. Shame on you! People putting in the work would like to get something out of the deal. Otherwise it would be like indentured service and you might be sued for unpaid wages. College credit is a form of payment. That is why you can get the kids to do your work for no pay. But people off the street don't want to work for nothing.
In my opinion, you have questionable morals and bad business ethics for trying to rip these people off, and even asking this question. Quit being cheap and abusive!
2007-01-16 04:19:35 · answer #2 · answered by anon 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know the complete answer to your question. What they'd be doing is volunteering. There are some restrictions about how you can volunteer. I know you don't have to be 501(c)3 or anything to have volunteers work for you, but your situation may not be similar. Here's a reference about some rulings from the Department of Labor about such things. See if any of them apply to you.
http://www.jenner.com/files/tbl_s20Publications%5CRelatedDocumentsPDFs1252%5C1135%5C26.%20DOL%20Clarifies%20Definition%20of%20Volunteer%2012.05.pdf
I don't agree with the answerer who said that it's immoral. Presumably, they are getting something for working there - experience and connections for future jobs - and they think that the experience and connections they gain are more important than the time they're losing. I am assuming, of course, that none of this is coerced - that would be both illegal and immoral - but I doubt it is.
2007-01-16 04:23:41 · answer #3 · answered by Gary B 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is called volunteer work, but how many hours are you expecting them to work? They could use it for a later school credit or as an internship/volunteer work. If you expect them to work 40 hours and you think they deserve some money, then you need to have a contract with the people.
2007-01-16 04:19:42 · answer #4 · answered by Scott 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it's legal if they are agreeing to it - they are still getting the experience which is of value.
IF having an unpaid, uncredited intern was illegal, you could just rename them a volunteer, and it would be legal.
2007-01-16 04:20:55 · answer #5 · answered by Crystal P 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have to put in 180 hours of free service before I can get paid
2007-01-16 04:15:35 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋