It is officially mid-summer, a time when employers start final evaluations of the interns who will return to classes over the next few months and gear up to recruit the next group of interns. But when taking advantage of this source of cheap (or free) labor, it is vital to make the necessary preparations so you don’t get on the wrong side of the law. In fact, if you only have interns so you can get free workers, you may already be in hot water. The Fair Labor Standards Act requires employers to pay for all work done for the benefit of the company. To hire unpaid interns, businesses have to meet specific criteria to prove they are not exploiting the intern.
