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[–] Broc_Lia 0 points 1 point (+1|-0) ago 

I don't think that really works out. By paying them $12, he's acknowledging that they deserve pay, and his position on paid work is that you should be getting $15 or not getting the job at all. The argument that he's paying them more than he has to, but not as much as he thinks he should, is a little bit hypocritical.

The following six criteria must be applied when making this determination: 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; and The employer and the intern understand that the intern is not entitled to wages for the time spent in the internship. If all of the factors listed above are met, an employment relationship does not exist under the FLSA, and the Act’s minimum wage and overtime provisions do not apply to the intern.

I'm not saying he's in breach of employment legislation. Even if they were considered workers he's still paying them above the minimum wage, I'm saying he's in breach of his principles.

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[–] Terkan ago 

Except it isn't a real job. It is an internship. They are there to learn, they aren't ready to do the job of a full staff member. If I was earning $15 I would not want an untrained student with no experience earning the same as me.

That's why so many are low/unpaid.

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[–] Broc_Lia ago 

If I was earning $15 I would not want an untrained student with no experience earning the same as me.

I've honestly never understood this attitude, that if someone doing "lesser work" is earning the same or more than me it's a personal affront. So long as I get what I contracted for then I'm happy.