INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS UNDER THE FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT

Internship Programs under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) are guidelines that set standards for internships offered by private sector employers. The guidelines outline the criteria that must be met for an internship to qualify as a legitimate training program rather than as employment. The guidelines require that the intern receives educational or training benefits from the experience, that the intern does not displace regular employees, and that the employer derives no immediate advantage from the intern’s activities. Employers who do not comply with the guidelines may be subject to penalties or legal action.