Internships are a classic win-win for young workers and the companies they observe. Students and new employees can gain important industry experience while companies receive an extra hand around the office. The high value of experience can lead both companies and individuals to justify unpaid positions. However, according to internship resource service InternMatch, there are numerous benefits to putting these temporary workers on the payroll.
For one, ads for paid positions draw a lot more attention. According to data of InternMatch's traffic, paid positions receive about 2.5 times more clicks than unpaid ones. More applicants means a wider selection of candidates, and likely more highly qualified individuals, to choose from.
Once on the job, paid interns are happier and more engaged and employers can avoid any legal implications of noncompensation. NBC reported how a number of companies came under fire for alleged violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act. The act states that employers must provide training to unpaid interns and gain "no immediate advantage" from their labor.
Regardless of the outcome, a lawsuit is bad press for a company. Drafting a compensation agreement for interns is a simple way to ensure a positive reputation.