Report 10 Informed


Unpaid internships webinar


Alexandria Slater, NUJ campaigns & communications officer, reports from the latest event held by the Student and Early Careers Network. Te Student and Early Careers


Network’s recent webinar on unpaid internships and the National Minimum Wage (NMW) gave our student members a practical guide to understanding when unpaid work is lawful and when it isn’t. Te session was led by Bradley


Lawrence, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) senior compliance officer. Drawing on his experience investigating employers across different sectors and company sizes, Lawrence explained how HMRC enforces minimum wage law and what members can do if they believe they have been underpaid. One of the key messages was that being


called an “intern” does not determine whether someone is entitled to the minimum wage. HMRC’s guidance makes clear that “interns” have no special legal status for NMW purposes. Instead, the important question is whether the individual is classed as a “worker” for the organisation. Tis can include situations where there is a writen, oral or implied agreement to work; the person is expected to atend or work particular hours; or they receive something of value in return – including money, benefits, or a promise of paid future work. Te webinar helpfully highlighted exceptions where work can be unpaid.


Students undertaking work experience that is a required part of a higher education course do not qualify for NMW where the placement is no longer than one year and takes place before the course ends. Tere’s also a difference between carrying out work and shadowing. Someone who is just observing, listening and learning without completing tasks is not considered a worker that is entitled to NMW. Volunteering is another category


where the minimum wage does not apply. HMRC says genuine volunteers who provide their time freely are not under an obligation to provide their services. However they may be entitled to money to cover expenses, which is usually limited to food, drink, travel or any equipment you need to buy. Te webinar offered an important


reminder for students and early career workers who are particularly vulnerable to exploitation when trying to get a foot in the industry door. Unpaid does not automatically mean unlawful, but calling work an internship or placement does not automatically make it lawful either. Participants were also shown how concerns about underpayment can be raised and escalated, including the role of HMRC and the support available through unions. Keeping records of hours worked, agreements, payments and what was expected from an internship can be particularly important if a dispute


Te next journoration


Journalism is one of the most important professions in a democracy. Yet many young people still feel it isn’t a career for them or don’t fully understand the opportunities available. To bridge this gap, the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ)


launched a campaign, ‘Where your story goes’, to help 14-18-year-olds discover the many ways they can build a career in journalism: from reporting and investigations to podcasting, video production and data storytelling. Te campaign’s dedicated site features an interactive personality


does arise; a paper trail will be your best defence.


Te Student and Early Careers


Network will be hosting more events similar to this to help members navigate a way to a career in the industry. Te network is open to anyone aged 16 or over who is studying journalism, media, publishing, photography, public relations and communications, or any other journalism and media related courses. Te network helps students make connections through local branches; provides guest speakers for students’ courses and student-organised events; and offers practical support, including around student press cards that help our members to be identified as legitimate newsgatherers outside their campus. Contact campaigns@nuj.org.uk if you’d like to join the network.


quiz for young people to explore which journalism roles could suit them best. Tey can also hear from five young journalists working at leading national and local outlets. In partnership with the Financial Times, a careers guide is also being distributed to over 35,000 teachers and education providers across the UK. Te NUJ and NCTJ continue to campaign for the restoration of strategic grants funding for journalism education.


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