When an individual becomes a staff of an organization for a limited period of time such as two or four months, they may be subject to intern lawsuit. Interns are usually given limited access to the company’s inner workings and are not allowed to discuss their employer with other staff members, much less with anyone outside the company. However, some interns are able to voice complaints to management, and in most cases this complaint will be tolerated. However, in extreme circumstances, if the company is aware of the specific complaint, they can and will enforce their rights to protect their property.
Common examples of this complaint are discrimination, harassment, and physical abuse. In the case of sexual harassment, if the intern accuses their supervisor of this behavior, it is likely that they will be subjected to a sexual harassment lawsuit. If a supervisor denies the allegations or believes them to be untrue, a lawsuit can be filed by any employee who feels discriminated against on the basis of sex. Similarly, if an intern faces punishment from their employer for engaging in protected activities like political activism or extra-curricular activity, they may file a workplace mob lawsuit.
It is easy to see how employers can use the actions of interns to extract money from organizations. On a micro level, most small nonprofits do not need much money. However, these nonprofits often employ large numbers of people, including part-time temps who work long hours and bring in money. In a large, well-known nonprofit, it may cost tens of thousands of dollars to hire an intern for six months. If the part-time workers continue to perform dirty menial tasks like cleaning the office, answering phone calls, filing paperwork, and other menial tasks, the value of their services can decrease dramatically. To protect themselves from lawsuits like these, organizations that have interns will require them to sign non-competitor agreements.
These agreements state that interns cannot engage in any menial tasks during their employment. This protects employers from having to pay for these tasks. The only exception to this requirement is when interns are being used by businesses to perform services for free.
Interns also face the risk of being subjected to hostile environment during their internships. Companies often take an attitude towards their employees that can range from abusive to condescending. In one case, a court found that an intern was forced to clean the office after it became dirty due to a cleaning woman who was upset because the intern was not making enough money. In situations like these, interns may have to receive overtime pay in order to cover their damages.
There are many different factors at play when it comes to whether or not an individual violated the FDCPA. However, there is one aspect of the Fair Labor Standards Act that every employee must follow: the prohibition on retaliation. In many cases, the law makes it extremely clear that if you are injured while working, you have the right to seek monetary compensation for your pain and suffering. Whether or not an individual violated the law, if they did not follow the appropriate guidelines, they could be subject to an additional settlement.