Employment & HR
Internship Agreement
Defines the terms of an internship program, including learning objectives, duration, compensation (if any), and mutual responsibilities.
Overview
Defines the terms of an internship program, including learning objectives, duration, compensation (if any), and mutual responsibilities.
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Who Needs This Document?
Companies offering internship programs, educational institutions, students seeking internships, and HR departments managing intern placements.
When Do You Need This?
Required before an intern begins their placement. Should clearly define whether the internship is paid or unpaid and the learning objectives.
Key Provisions
A well-drafted document should include the following essential provisions:
- Duration, schedule, and learning objectives
- Compensation, stipend, or academic credit arrangements
- Supervision, evaluation, and confidentiality obligations
Frequently Asked Questions
- What separates a legitimate unpaid internship from one that should be paid?
- The distinguishing factor is generally whether the internship primarily benefits the intern's education and training or whether the intern is instead performing regular work that benefits the business the way an employee's work would. An internship agreement should reflect genuine learning objectives and supervision, not just use the intern label to avoid paying for ordinary labor.
- Why do internship agreements specify learning objectives and supervision?
- Clearly stated learning objectives and a named supervisor demonstrate that the program is genuinely educational, which matters both for how the internship is classified and for making sure the intern actually gets value from the experience. Without this structure, an internship can drift into unstructured, low-value work that serves the company more than the intern.
- Does an unpaid intern still need to sign confidentiality terms?
- Yes. Interns frequently have access to the same sensitive information, client data, or internal systems as regular staff, and the absence of pay doesn't reduce the risk of that information being disclosed or misused. Confidentiality obligations in an internship agreement typically mirror what a company would require of any short-term worker in a similar role.
Related Documents
- Employment ContractA comprehensive agreement between employer and employee defining the terms of employment including compensation, benefits, duties, and conditions.
- Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)A legally binding contract that establishes confidentiality between parties sharing sensitive information, trade secrets, or proprietary data.
- Offer LetterA formal document extending a job offer to a candidate, outlining the key terms of employment before a full contract is signed.