For decades, there have been unpaid internships in companies that allow students and individuals an opportunity to gain knowledge in different work environments and insight into a variety of careers available in the workplace. Over the past several years, numerous lawsuits and administrative law claims were filed by interns against employers alleging misclassification and seeking compensation and overtime pay for their services.

DOL Test

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued guidance on internship programs in April 2010 under the FLSA, “Fact Sheet # 71: Internship Programs under the Fair Labor Standards Act.”