It depends on if they're really an intern. The Department of Labor (DOL) has implemented a “primary beneficiary” test* to help establish compensation requirements. Generally: If the experience is primarily for the benefit of the intern, they can be classified as such...
Internships
Do we need to pay our summer intern?
Question: Do we need to pay our summer intern? Answer: Generally, yes, though it depends on who benefits most from their work. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has adopted the “primary beneficiary test” to determine whether a worker is an employee (who must be...
Can we bring on college students as interns without paying them?
Question: We’ve been approached by some local college students who are volunteering to be unpaid interns. Can we bring them on without paying them? Answer: According to the U.S. Department of Labor, there are certain requirements that must be met when taking on...