To: Joshua Turck
Email Removed">Email RemovedFrom: Sable Johnson
Email Removed">Email RemovedSubject: Interns
Cc:
We do want a strong internship program that can provide us with superior, we-trained personnel; however, the program must meet government regulations.
Your inquiry about the status of our interns caused my staff and me to look into this matter more carefully. Our attorneys told us that all interns must be considered employees and paid at least the minimum wage. We learned that college students are legitimate only if they are receiving real training. Interns are not legitimate if they do any of the following: 1. They displace a regular employee. 2. If they complete a client’s work for which we bill. 3. If they are promised full-time jobs at the end of training.
I appreciate your bringing this to my attention. I would like to arrange for you to meet with the vice president and me to analyze this fall’s internship program and consider changes.
Having every single intern sign a contract saying that they are willing to accept college credit in place of wages does not provide legal protection. An intern must do more than busy work.
After reviewing our complete program, changes must be made. We believe that future interns must have structured training program. Let’s meet to discuss.
Kind regards,
Sable Johnson, Director
Human Resources