Partner Article

Recession fuels internship exploitation fears

Two thirds (66%) of young people feel obliged to work for free because of the recession, according to new research.

The study, conducted by the National Council for Work Experience (NCWE) also found that two thirds of the respondents felt exploited or undervalued by working unpaid. However almost half (49%) had worked unpaid for four weeks or more. Guidelines by the DTI/HM Revenue and Customs state that two weeks is an appropriate period for an unpaid placement.

Heather Collier, director of the NCWE says: “These are difficult to times for everyone, but it’s not a green light for businesses to act unethically. If there is any doubt in an employer’s mind regarding potential exploitation, it’s simple – pay them.

“It’s worrying to hear that so many young people consider themselves as exploited and almost forced to work for free. Nobody should feel that to gain the employability skills they need to land a job, they have to work without pay for a significant length of time.

“It must be clear that if students and graduates are undertaking unpaid internships, it is on a voluntary basis otherwise they may fall foul of the ‘worker’s test’. There must also be no legal obligation to either provide or carry out the work.

“It works both ways; by taking on people who are willing to work unpaid, it may prevent employers finding the best candidate as they will only attract those who have alternative financial support.”

For further information on the provision of high quality work experience visit www.work-experience.org.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .