Exploitation of interns is rife, how does adland compare?

Exploitation of interns is rife, how does adland compare?
B&T Magazine
By B&T Magazine



In the wake of a government investigation B&T is conducting its own research to find out how interns are treated in the ‘sexy’ media, marketing, advertising and PR industries.

A Fair Work Ombudsman report has found using unpaid interns for work similar to that undertaken by paid employees is on the rise in a number of industries including the media.

The practice may see employees charged fines of up to $51,000 according to the study, conducted by researchers from the University of Adelaide.

While retail and hospitality are the main culprits, one researcher has said it is likely the “glamorous” media, marketing, advertising and PR industries are just as guilty.

How does adland really treat its interns?

When we asked the industry last year if adland exploited its interns, there was an immediate response and opinions were divided.

Now, B&T is running an anonymous survey to set the story straight and to find out exactly how prevalent both paid and unpaid internships are.

Please take five minutes to fill in the anonymous survey by clicking here.

The results from this survey and another targeted survey will form the basis of an upcoming feature for B&T Magazine.

Andrew Stewart, a legal expert at the University of Adelaide who was commissioned for the report, told B&T last year that unpaid internships would be common in advertising as young people look for "an edge".

“But the problem we see is if there are no limits and you end up with a race to the bottom where there is more and more of an expectation to perform longer periods of unpaid work."

One B&T reader said: "That fact that unpaid internships are industry standard is only incredibly exploitative, its a vote of no confidence to the interns working on large accounts and providing considerable benefits to the company."

While another said: "I am a firm believer of free work – most of the unpaid work I have ever done has lead to amazing opportunities that I would not have otherwise been offered."

To read the full story click here.




Please login with linkedin to comment

Latest News

Sydney Comedy Festival: Taking The City & Social Media By Storm
  • Media

Sydney Comedy Festival: Taking The City & Social Media By Storm

Sydney Comedy Festival 2024 is live and ready to rumble, showing the best of international and homegrown talent at a host of venues around town. As usual, it’s hot on the heels of its big sister, the giant that is the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, picking up some acts as they continue on their own […]

Global Marketers Descend For AANA’s RESET For Growth
  • Advertising

Global Marketers Descend For AANA’s RESET For Growth

The Australian Association of National Advertisers (AANA) has announced the final epic lineup of local and global marketing powerhouses for RESET for Growth 2024. Lead image: Josh Faulks, chief executive officer, AANA  Back in 2000, a woman with no business experience opened her first juice bar in Adelaide. The idea was brilliantly simple: make healthy […]