Author: Leeds Morelli & Brown, P.C
“New York Employment Discrimination Lawyers, Unpaid Interns”
This unsettled job market has resulted in many college graduates without paid jobs upon graduation. They are now seeking unpaid internships to try to “get a foot in the door.” As interns, their rights are not always protected either. For example, intern Eric Glatt, who is 40 years old, sued Fox Searchlight Pictures for minimum wage violations for unpaid work he performed for the film “Black Swan.” While internships provide valuable experience, they result in interns doing menial work and learning very little. The Labor Department stated employers must provide work which resembles vocational education, that interns must work under close supervision, and that their work cannot be a substitute for regular employees. However, it is very easy for employers to exploit interns and the Labor Department rarely cracks down on offenders. Read:Unpaid Internships
Even unpaid interns are entitled to rights provided by the New York State Department of Labor. Under this department, violations of any provision of the Labor Law, the Industrial Code, or any rule, regulation, or lawful order of the Department of Labor is a misdemeanor. Violators can be punished by fine or imprisonment, or both, as well as even civil penalties (up to $10,000) for each violation of labor law governing the employment of minors under 18 years old by an employer. Penalties include fine up to $1,000 for the first violation, $2,000, for the second, and $3,000 for the third and subsequent violations. Read More: Department of Labor
If you or someone you know has been affected by a violation of labor laws, the lawyers at Leeds Morelli & Brown, PC, have extensive experience in handling all matters of labor disputes regarding wage and hour law, and workers compensation lawsuits. Victims of such offenses may be entitled to compensation. For more information or a consultation, contact Leeds Morelli & Brown, PC at 1-888-5-JOBLAW.