Are internships great experience for students or just free labor?
Students and recent graduates often volunteer for internships to gain experience and get their foot in the door of their chosen industry. Unfortunately, they can often find themselves learning very little and simple becoming free labor for the employer. So when should it stop being a “free internship” and become paid labor under the law? Well the general rule is that when it becomes less about learning for the student and more about work the company needs then the company better pay up in accordance with our Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Our Fair Labor Standards Act Lawyers have handled several of these cases.
Attorney Jon Street was recently interviewed about the requirement to be paid for internships. You can watch the interview below:
If you think you are owed pay for an internship or have other Tennessee Labor Law Question please feel free to contact our office today.
Author Bio
Jim Higgins, founder of the Higgins Firm, is a seasoned personal injury attorney with deep roots in Nashville, Tennessee. A 4th generation Nashvillian, Jim carries on the legal legacy of his father, a judge for over 30 years. After graduating from the University of Memphis School of Law, Jim’s career began on the other side of the courtroom, defending insurance companies and learning their tactics for minimizing settlements. However, he soon realized his true calling was fighting for the rights of the injured, and for the past several years, he has exclusively represented plaintiffs in personal injury cases.
Since then, his dedication and skill have earned him membership in the prestigious Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an organization limited to attorneys who have secured million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for their clients. Licensed to practice in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Georgia, Jim focuses on personal injury, product liability, medical malpractice, and workers’ compensation cases. His exceptional work has been recognized by his peers, earning him a spot on the Super Lawyers list from 2021 to 2024, a distinction awarded to only a select group of accomplished attorneys in each state.
