- 19-Apr-2025
- Healthcare and Medical Malpractice
Unpaid interns are often seen as a valuable source of work experience, but their legal rights in the workplace are sometimes unclear, particularly when it comes to protections under anti-discrimination laws. While unpaid interns do not have the same employment status as full-time employees, they are still entitled to protection against discrimination, harassment, and unequal treatment in many situations. The extent of these protections depends on various factors, such as the nature of the internship and whether the intern is considered a trainee under specific legal definitions.
Unpaid interns are generally protected by federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. This protection applies to unpaid interns as well as employees, meaning they cannot be discriminated against based on their race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or other protected characteristics.
Unpaid interns must be given the same opportunity to perform meaningful work and have access to a workplace environment free from harassment or mistreatment. They are not exempt from the right to be treated fairly, which means they should not face harassment or exclusion due to their unpaid status.
Harassment, including sexual harassment or any conduct that creates a hostile work environment, is prohibited for all individuals, including unpaid interns. Interns have the right to report inappropriate behavior, and employers are required to address such complaints promptly and take appropriate corrective action.
Employers must ensure that interns are treated equally in terms of workplace policies, such as safety protocols and anti-harassment guidelines. Just because an intern is unpaid does not mean they should be subjected to different, unfair treatment compared to paid employees.
Unpaid interns are protected against retaliation if they file complaints related to discrimination or harassment. This means that an intern cannot be dismissed, treated unfairly, or have their internship terminated simply for asserting their rights under anti-discrimination laws.
Interns are also protected from discrimination during the internship hiring process. An employer cannot base their decisions on an intern’s gender, race, disability, or any other protected characteristic during the recruitment and selection process for internships.
If an unpaid intern experiences discrimination or harassment, they can file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or a relevant state or local agency that handles workplace discrimination claims.
In addition to federal laws, many states and local jurisdictions offer broader protections for interns. Some states have specific laws that apply to unpaid internships, including wage and hour protections, and anti-discrimination laws that extend to interns.
If an unpaid intern experiences discrimination or harassment, they have the right to take legal action, just as paid employees would. This could include filing lawsuits for compensation if they can prove harm as a result of the discrimination.
A college student secures an unpaid internship at a tech company. During the internship, she faces constant sexist remarks from a supervisor and is excluded from meetings and important projects because of her gender. She reports the behavior to the company’s HR department, but no action is taken. The intern then files a discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. After an investigation, the company is found to have violated anti-discrimination laws and is required to take corrective measures, which include training on gender equality for all employees and providing compensation to the intern for the harm caused by the discriminatory treatment.
Unpaid interns are entitled to protections under anti-discrimination laws, ensuring they are treated fairly in the workplace and have equal access to opportunities without facing harassment or unequal treatment. Although they may not have the same legal status as full-time employees, their rights to work in a safe, respectful, and non-discriminatory environment are important. Employers must take care to enforce anti-discrimination policies and provide a fair experience for all interns, regardless of their paid or unpaid status.
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