Internship: Rights, duties and pay

In short: An internship is for learning, not for cheap labour; whether it must be paid depends on its type and duration.

In more detail: Internships exist for career orientation, as a compulsory part of school or study or as preparation for an apprenticeship. They differ from employment because the learning purpose is in the foreground. Since the Minimum Wage Act there are clear rules on when payment is due.

In Depth

Types and minimum wage

• Compulsory internship (prescribed by school or university): no minimum wage.
• Orientation internship up to three months for choosing a career or before studying: no minimum wage.
• Voluntary internship for career or field-of-study orientation up to three months: no minimum wage; for more than three months minimum wage for the entire time.
• Entry qualification (EQ): subsidised measure before training with pay.
• An internship after training or full-time with work duties is often an employment relationship.

Internship contract

The company must record the essential conditions in writing: learning goals, duration, daily working time, pay, leave. There is a right to a certificate (internship confirmation). For minors the Youth Employment Protection Act applies, with limited working hours. Interns are covered by statutory accident insurance.

Typical problems

Interns are sometimes used like normal workers (copying, coffee, permanent substitution). Learning goals should be recognisable and a supervisor named. Whoever receives tasks that do not fit the occupation can raise this and if necessary report it to the school or advice centres. An “internship” without learning content and without pay is a breach of the Minimum Wage Act.

Tips

• Apply early and look closely at the occupation.
• In the interview ask which tasks you will take on.
• Keep documentation from which you can later draw knowledge for applications.
• Maintain contacts: many apprenticeships arise from internships.
• School, career guidance and trade unions help with questions. This article does not replace legal advice.

See also: Youth Employment Protection Act, Dual training, Working Hours Act