Canadian young people are feeling the strain of the high unemployment rate. With limited entry-level positions and multiple years of experience required for most job postings, many of Canada’s youth have turned to unpaid positions and internships to beef up their resumes. Hands on training can be essential to breaking into a competitive field, but the line between employee and intern is a blurry one. What constitutes a legal internship? When can minimum wage be waved? What can you do when you’ve been treated unfairly? The Canadian Intern Association is trying to help young people and employers wade through the murky waters of the internship pool.
President Claire Seaborn, a law student from the University of Ottawa and an employee of Torkin Manes LLP, formed the Canadian Intern Association only a year ago, but has already received nationwide media coverage and interest from interns, employers, and MPs alike. Seaborn is amazed by the response.
“We’ve never had to reach out to the media or MPs. They’ve come to us as an organization and I think it shows that there’s a need for what we do,” she says with a smile. “Youth employment is an important issue.”
Those who attend their monthly meetings agree whole-heartedly. Interns, former interns, student union representatives and the curious join Canadian Intern Association members to discuss internship law, news stories, and steps to take to improve conditions for interns. Currently, they have three ongoing campaigns but more are in the works. The “Claim Back Your Pay” campaign focuses on teaching interns their rights, raising awareness about exploitative internships, and helping former interns file wage claims for unlawful internships.
The “Wall of Fame/Shame” highlights businesses that run internships on both ends of the spectrum but positivity is the key. They reach out to each organization before placing them on the “Wall of Shame” and try to explain why their practices cause concern. For many employers, this contact alone is enough to make them rethink their internship policies, and the Canadian Intern Association is proud of their 50% turnover rate. Currently, half of all “Wall of Shame” employers have rethought their internships and become success stories.
The third campaign is to raise funds and partnership support from student unions across the country. The Canadian Intern Association operates on donations and is currently incorporating into a federal not-for-profit organization.
Internships and co-op placements affect a large portion of young Canadians. The Canadian Intern Association is looking out for their wellbeing. For more information on the legality and regulations for internships, information on collecting back pay, or to attend a meeting visit: www.internassociation.caCanadian young people are feeling the strain of the high unemployment rate. With limited entry-level positions and multiple years of experience required for most job postings, many of Canada’s youth have turned to unpaid positions and internships to beef up their resumes. Hands on training can be essential to breaking into a competitive field, but the line between employee and intern is a blurry one. What constitutes a legal internship? When can minimum wage be waved? What can you do when you’ve been treated unfairly? The Canadian Intern Association is trying to help young people and employers wade through the murky waters of the internship pool.
President Claire Seaborn, a law student from the University of Ottawa and an employee of Torkin Manes LLP, formed the Canadian Intern Association only a year ago, but has already received nationwide media coverage and interest from interns, employers, and MPs alike. Seaborn is amazed by the response.
“We’ve never had to reach out to the media or MPs. They’ve come to us as an organization and I think it shows that there’s a need for what we do,” she says with a smile. “Youth employment is an important issue.”
Those who attend their monthly meetings agree whole-heartedly. Interns, former interns, student union representatives and the curious join Canadian Intern Association members to discuss internship law, news stories, and steps to take to improve conditions for interns. Currently, they have three ongoing campaigns but more are in the works. The “Claim Back Your Pay” campaign focuses on teaching interns their rights, raising awareness about exploitative internships, and helping former interns file wage claims for unlawful internships.
The “Wall of Fame/Shame” highlights businesses that run internships on both ends of the spectrum but positivity is the key. They reach out to each organization before placing them on the “Wall of Shame” and try to explain why their practices cause concern. For many employers, this contact alone is enough to make them rethink their internship policies, and the Canadian Intern Association is proud of their 50% turnover rate. Currently, half of all “Wall of Shame” employers have rethought their internships and become success stories.
The third campaign is to raise funds and partnership support from student unions across the country. The Canadian Intern Association operates on donations and is currently incorporating into a federal not-for-profit organization.
Internships and co-op placements affect a large portion of young Canadians. The Canadian Intern Association is looking out for their wellbeing. For more information on the legality and regulations for internships, information on collecting back pay, or to attend a meeting visit: www.internassociation.ca
