A series of recent lawsuits aimed at US corporations over their unpaid internship programs could spell the end of work experience. Several lawsuits have been filed over the past few years, many of which were aimed at major US companies such as Conde Nast Publications and Fox Searchlight Pictures, both from former interns.
The unpaid interns claim that they worked illegally for the companies without any form of compensation. In the former case, interns working at The New Yorker were compensated just $500 per four-month internship period. In the latter, interns for Fox’s motion picture arm received no salary, despite working on a blockbuster film.
In the case of Fox, courts found that the company had acted illegally in its lack of any compensation for interns. What’s interesting, however, is that the interns behind the lawsuit were aware of their unpaid employment status before and after production of the film, in what is a standard employment practice in the US film industry.
The success of the lawsuit could spell the end of unpaid internships in the film and publishing industries – two ‘glamour industries’ known for their reliance on unpaid labour. Many industry insiders fear that it could be a two-edged sword, with major repercussions, such as a loss of access, for the interns behind the lawsuits.
Unpaid internships have typically been used as a stepping-stone for individuals that would like to become involved in America’s glamour industries. Numerous stars and directors, for example, began their Hollywood careers as interns. They fear that this change in attitude could make it harder for young people to enter the industry.
Others have argued that internships tend to reward young students and graduates that already have the financial resources to manage their lives. The outcome of the cases will be interesting to observe over the long term, with film studies and major publishers likely responding with changes to their employment codes.
