Working for no pay is frustrating enough without having to deal with lewd behavior in the office. Unfortunately, the federal government does not consider unpaid interns employees under the Civil Rights Act, so they are not protected under sexual harassment laws.
In one case, a doctor at Rockland Psychiatric Center told an intern that she should participate in an orgy and remove her clothes before meeting with him. When the intern filed a lawsuit, her claims were dismissed because she was an unpaid intern.
Unpaid internships are a reality for many students and new graduates, and are sometimes part of graduation requirements. Sadly, interns have nowhere to turn when faced with workplace harassment. Please sign the petition to support protection against sexual harassment for unpaid interns.
We, the undersigned, are concerned with the lack of protection against sexual harassment for unpaid interns. We understand that the federal government does not consider unpaid interns employees under the Civil Rights Act, so they are not protected under sexual harassment laws.
In one case, a doctor at Rockland Psychiatric Center told an intern that she should participate in an orgy and remove her clothes before meeting with him. When the intern filed a lawsuit, her claims were dismissed because she was an unpaid intern.
Unpaid internships are a reality for many students and new graduates, and are sometimes part of graduation requirements. Sadly, interns have nowhere to turn when faced with workplace harassment. We respectfully urge you to create legislation that would protect unpaid interns against sexual harassment. Thank you for taking the time to read and consider our petition.
