In the U.S., what factor primarily determines the legal requirement for paying an intern?
Answer
Who primarily benefits from the arrangement
The legal determination hinges on whether the intern is essentially performing the work of a regular employee (employer benefits, payment due) or if the experience is structured primarily for the trainee's educational benefit (payment may not be required).
Related Questions
Which U.S. federal law significantly influences whether compensation for an intern is mandatory?In the U.S., what factor primarily determines the legal requirement for paying an intern?Which condition suggests an employer is the primary beneficiary, likely requiring payment for an internship in a for-profit setting?In which sectors are paid internships increasingly the norm rather than the exception?Besides hourly wages, what are two other forms of remuneration mentioned for interns?What does the DOL maintain regarding using academic credit to justify unpaid status when the intern performs substantive work?If an intern is receiving regular payment, what documentation should they typically expect?If a state has minimum wage laws stricter than the federal standard, which must the employer adhere to?What structural element often indicates a high-quality, well-structured paid internship?Which question helps an intern assess if their expected output is merely educational or has tangible business value?