Internship guidance rolled out by Government
Employment Law & HR update 20/09/2011
The Government's new internship guidance aims to offer firms
clarity about work experience and placements.
The new guidance - which was first announced in the Social
Mobility Strategy earlier this year - includes detailed advice on
the National Minimum Wage (NMW) in relation to interns.
Companies are often confused over when an intern or work
experience candidate is entitled to this wage. They can now access
a checklist and case studies which aim to educate them on who is
entitled to the wage and who is not.
Firms must be aware of whether the arrangement they have made
with an intern means they fall into the 'worker' category for NMW
purposes. If they do, no matter what sort of work they are carrying
out, they may be entitled to receive the payment.
In cases where no exemption applies to this rule, the individual
must be paid the NMW.
Edward Davey, employment relations minister, said, “Fairness ...
is absolutely paramount with all placements. When a worker is
entitled to the minimum wage, they should be paid it and we will
continue to enforce the law.
“Today’s publication will help clarify this for employers and
will also make sure that all interns and those on work experience
placements have a better understanding of their entitlement to the
minimum wage,” Mr Davey added.
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