It’s Time to Hire Interns. Or, Is It?

Dallas, United States, 03/28/2013 / SubmitMyPR /

In recent years, our firm has addressed the factors that must be met for the Department of Labor to consider an unpaid internship legal under its strict standards. The test that for-profit companies must meet is exacting. In a nutshell, the internship must be set up for the benefit of the intern—with opportunities for learning and job-shadowing—and not for the benefit of the company. If the intern performs beneficial services for the company, the company should pay the intern.

Not only has the Department of Labor cracked down on unpaid internships, but some plaintiff lawyers have gotten involved. These lawyers actively seek out unpaid interns to encourage them to bring wage and hour lawsuits. Some such lawsuits are brought as class actions.

If your company is a for-profit company and is considering hiring an intern for the summer, you may wish to consult with a Dallas, Texas employment lawyer first. Making sure you and the employees who will be working with the intern understand the parameters of the relationship should lead to a better experience for everyone involved. Contact the Dallas employment law attorneys at Clouse Dunn LLP. You may send an email to [email protected] or call (214) 239-2705.