header-logo header-logo

Interns: the new underclass?

19 March 2010 / Kerry Underwood
Issue: 7409 / Categories: Opinion , Profession
printer mail-detail

Recently there has been much publicity about graduates working for nothing, or indeed even paying to work, in the hope of making an impression and getting a paid job) see for example The Mail Online, 4 March 2010 – “The Slave Labour Graduates.”)

Recently there has been much publicity about graduates working for nothing, or indeed even paying to work, in the hope of making an impression and getting a paid job) see for example The Mail Online, 4 March 2010 – “The Slave Labour Graduates.”)

This may come as a surprise to those who thought that we had a national minimum wage and that that minimum is not zero. For those of a certain age it will bring back memories of articled clerks paying for the privilege of learning at their principal’s feet. So what is the legal position now?
Such action by employers is clearly illegal, in relation to anyone over 16 who is not working under a formal apprenticeship contract.

The national minimum wage is just that – there are no

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Hugh James—Phil Edwards

Hugh James—Phil Edwards

Serious injury teambolstered by high-profile partner hire

Freeths—Melanie Stancliffe

Freeths—Melanie Stancliffe

Firm strengthens employment team with partner hire

DAC Beachcroft—Tim Barr

DAC Beachcroft—Tim Barr

Lawyers’ liability practice strengthened with partner appointment in London

NEWS
Tech companies will be legally required to prevent material that encourages or assists serious self-harm appearing on their platforms, under Online Safety Act 2023 regulations due to come into force in the autumn
Commercial leasehold, the defence of insanity and ‘consent’ in the criminal law are among the next tranche of projects for the Law Commission
The Bar has a culture of ‘impunity’ and ‘collusive bystanding’ in which making a complaint is deemed career-ending due to a ‘cohort of untouchables’ at the top, Baroness Harriet Harman KC has found
Lawyers have broadly welcomed plans to electronically tag up to 22,000 more offenders, scrap most prison terms below a year and make prisoners ‘earn’ early release
David Lammy, Ellie Reeves and Baroness Levitt have taken up office at the Ministry of Justice, following the cabinet reshuffle
back-to-top-scroll