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Over the years, unpaid internships have become an integral part of gaining employment upon graduation. Currently, there is nothing protecting unpaid workers from either sexual harassment or hiring and firing discrimination, and this is something that must change. Most people do not even realize that unpaid interns are not included in the definition of an “employee”, or how vulnerable they are by taking an unpaid internship. 

Interns are also put in an incredibly vulnerable situation because they know that speaking up could hurt their chances at getting the job they want in the future, which is why this issue is seldom reported.  The only difference between interns and regular employees is a paycheck, and interns should be protected against discrimination and harassment like any other employee.

HB 5691 will finally grant unpaid interns the legal protections they deserve by changing the legal definition of “employee” to include unpaid student interns under the Michigan Occupational Health and Safety Act. With this seemingly minor change, unpaid interns will be protected from all forms of sexual harassment and discrimination while still securing their futures in the workplace. 

You can help make this happen! By signing this petition your signature shows the lawmakers in the Michigan House and Senate that you won’t stand and watch as unpaid interns go to work every day without any legal protections against workplace discrimination. For this bill to become law, there needs to be widespread public support for HB 5691. Signing this petition is the first step to ensuring that unpaid interns are equally protected under the law.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW HB 5691

Please visit us at www.miepic.org for more information.