Internships - opportunity or exploitation?

Monday, 25 July 2011

Because the term ‘intern’ is not defined in law, it’s not surprising that the term has sparked controversy and confusion. Legally an intern could be an employee, a worker, a voluntary worker, on work experience or a volunteer – so it’s hardly surprising that many interns don’t know where they stand.

I’ve heard volunteers admit to referring to their volunteering as an ‘internship’ in a job interview. And equally I’ve seen charities re-brand their volunteering opportunities as internships to attract young graduates. Although this is obviously not always the case, we have to acknowledge that the term ‘internship’ is attractive for young people trying to get ahead and equally for employers looking for talent.

There is a danger though that some organisations advertise internships as voluntary positions, without understanding their legal obligations. Crucially you can’t just be told you’re a volunteer – you have to be treated like one. Volunteer interns will be giving their time freely, reimbursed only out-of-pocket expenses, and working to benefit others.

There are situations where it’s not so clear-cut however. Where we see interns’ work clearly boosting profit in a business setting, it seems obvious that refusing to pay them is unethical and probably illegal. But what about an intern working in the head office of a charity? Should there be any difference? Some would argue that workers in charities expect to be paid, and therefore interns should be paid too. While others would consider interns part of the army of enthusiastic and essential volunteers that keep the charity going. There are examples of both approaches across the charity sector, and many would say each has its place. All charities have to find a balance between voluntary and paid staff that works best for everyone involved.

The ‘voluntary worker’ exemption from the national minimum wage was designed to allow people who genuinely want to volunteer to do so. Although this has to be within a “charity, voluntary organisation, associated fund raising body or statutory body”. But with competition for paid work at an all-time high, and more employers requiring candidates to have practical experience, do people really have a choice about whether or not to take up an unpaid position? Also there’s the danger that only those with money behind them, or supportive parents, can actually take up these opportunities. This is a very real issue – especially for a sector that prides itself on inclusivity and equal opportunities.

However the debate about whether internships are positive or negative is clearly much wider than the pay issue. Some would argue a positive developmental experience is worth far more to a person than three months being paid minimum wage to do basic and uninteresting work. It’s as much about the quality of the experience and many charities could be seen to be streaks ahead in this regard. Charities are providing an opportunity to learn, to get experience on the way to paid employment, but more than that – they inspire and enthuse people to work for the good of others. The alternative would be for these opportunities to disappear – and we’d see everyone losing out – the individual, the charity, and their beneficiaries.

The truth is that many interns are glowing about their experiences in the voluntary sector – how much they’ve learnt, how it was great to be part of the team and get an insight into the charity’s mission and management. Not to mention the benefits in terms of personal development. As with all volunteers, charities have an interest in providing a positive experience to keep them coming back – to foster relationships with people who may be supporters of their cause for years to come.

There are wider issues at play – the job market, the economy, and whether there’s more Government should be doing to support youth employment. But I think this could also be a good time to have an honest debate about the role of internships in the voluntary sector.

Volunteering England’s new information sheet ‘Internships explained’ (204.7Kb) is available now on the Internships section of our website.

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