AIGA Boston is making a concerted effort, with other chapters nationally, to support the ethical treatment of professional designers and students in the workplace.
The Pledge
I wish to join the people, companies, and organizations below by agreeing to offer compensation no less than the minimum state wages to all our employees and to abide by the laws set forth by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Why Pledge?
In an effort to achieve equitable practices, we are urging our members to pledge compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act. Within these standards set forth by the U.S. Department of Labor, students who accept an internship at a private sector business must receive a fair wage that meets the states’ minimum requirements.
For a position to be legally unpaid, the U.S. Department of Labor states that a for profit or private sector business must meet ALL of the following qualifications:
- The internship, even though it includes actual operation of the facilities of the employer, is similar to training which would be given in an educational environment;
- The internship experience is for the benefit of the intern
- The intern does not displace regular employees, but works under close supervision of existing staff;
- The employer that provides the training derives no immediate advantage from the activities of the intern; and on occasion its operations may actually be impeded;
- The intern is not necessarily entitled to a job at the conclusion of the internship;
- The employer and the intern understand that the intern is not entitled to wages for the time spent in the internship.
In an effort to uphold the value of design, support better business practices and encourage meaningful experiences for interns, AIGA Boston is challenging all private sector businesses to make a pledge to honor the law and fairly compensate the design students they may employ in the future.
If you wish to publicly support this cause and agree to pledge this important promise to your future employees, contact our Director of Education and submit your Name, Position and Company.
Who can sign The AIGA Boston Fair Internship Pledge?
All are welcome to add their voice to this important initiative. Whether you are signing on behalf of a large company with in-house designers, a studio or as an individual, please let your support of the ethical treatment of interns be known. You need not be an employer to express your views.
Check out the AIGA National article on our Internship Pledge.
