What basic welfare provisions should employers offer unpaid interns?

Question

Accepted Answer

Employers Should Provide Basic Welfare Provisions for Unpaid Interns

Employers should ensure that the basic welfare of unpaid interns is adequately addressed. This means providing certain provisions to help cover their daily expenses and facilitate their participation in the internship. Such provisions are considered the bare minimum when an intern is not receiving a salary equivalent to entry-level positions.
Food Coupons and Travel Allowances

A fundamental aspect of ensuring intern welfare involves addressing their subsistence costs. For instance, offering food coupons can directly assist interns with their daily meals, alleviating financial strain. Similarly, providing travel allowances helps to cover the transportation expenses incurred by interns commuting to and from the workplace, which can be a significant cost, especially if the internship is located in a different region or state.
Parking Subsidies

In addition to food and travel, employers can support interns by offering parking subsidies. This provision is particularly relevant for interns who may need to drive to the internship location, helping to offset the costs associated with parking fees. These measures collectively contribute to a more supportive environment for unpaid interns, acknowledging the financial burden they might face.
Addressing Accommodation and Other Expenses

While not explicitly detailed as a universal requirement, the challenges faced by interns regarding accommodation costs, as highlighted by the example of a UN intern camping in a park due to high Geneva accommodation prices, underscore the broader financial considerations. Although the primary focus for employers is on more immediate daily expenses like food and travel, the underlying principle is to ensure that financial constraints do not prevent interns from benefiting from or completing their internship experience.

Reading history

Hide →

This history is cleared when the page is closed.

What basic welfare provisions should employers offer unpaid interns?

Loading

Was this article helpful?

Helpful

Not helpful

Report an issue

1

0

0

Share with friends