Primer for Nonprofits on Paid Employees, Volunteers, and Interns
Employers are keenly aware that the labor market is very tight, and you’re likely struggling to find talent. As summer approaches and many employers move into their busiest season, you may be looking at creative staffing...more
You may have heard the famous quote that “as you grow older you will discover that you have two hands- one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.” Volunteering is one form of service that uses both hands- it...more
Amid the headlines reporting on the “Great Resignation” and America’s “Labor Crisis,” employers are searching for solutions to the current workforce shortage. According to a recent report from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a...more
The questions and answers below highlight labor and employment topics as they relate to nonprofit organizations. Classifying Your Staff - What is the difference between a paid employee and an unpaid volunteer? Under...more
Nonprofits are some of the best providers of necessary services in the United States. However, many run on shoestring budgets and require a mix of paid staff, volunteers, and internships to fulfill their missions, and there...more
The line between lawful and unlawful unpaid work is not always clear. Many companies are contacted by people offering to work on a voluntary basis. It is often pitched as a “win-win” because the person is willing to work...more
We include the 2018 chapter in its entirety for reference following the 2019 update. Background - As part of last year’s Labour & Employment group paper, "Sexual Harassment in the Workplace: What Your Company Needs to...more
We include the 2018 chapter in its entirety for reference following the 2019 update. UK update 2019 - The #MeToo movement continues to encourage women to speak out about unacceptable behaviours that they encounter at...more
In the past we have focused a lot on volunteer labor. The fact that generally an individual cannot “volunteer” to work for a for-profit business. The days of unpaid internships where someone volunteers their time to gain...more
On January 5, 2018, the Department of Labor announced two employer-friendly changes applicable to interns and volunteers. Specifically, the DOL has adopted an employer-friendly approach to internships and has reinstated a...more
It’s that time of year again when employers who take on interns and volunteers for the summer are reminded that they must comply with federal and state wage and hour laws. There have been a few new developments in the law...more
As the summer work season approaches, employers should review whether any “interns” or “volunteers” in their workplaces are classified properly and are being compensated appropriately. Although unpaid internships are...more
In a world where the lines between employees and volunteers/interns are becoming increasingly blurred, it is nice to see at least one court easily dispense with a wage and hour lawsuit. On August 13, 2015, a federal judge...more
It is summertime and the schools are out. You get a call from an eager college student offering to intern at your company for free. It seems like a win-win situation, right? Your company wins by having someone finally get...more
In This Issue: - Your Grandmother Doesn’t Work for Free: Volunteer and Intern Positions Under Closer Scrutiny - Excessive Celebration – Penalty Declined - Four Crisis Management Lessons from the...more
Who, What, Why . . . Who does it apply to: Every employer who has or intends to hire unpaid interns. When must an intern be paid: All “employees” of a business must be paid at least minimum wage unless they are a...more
Pastor v. Partnership for Children’s Rights, 10-cv-5167 (E.D.N.Y. Sept. 27, 2012): In this discrimination case, the Partnership for Children’s Rights sought to dismiss the complaint on the grounds that it was not an...more