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I gather that The Naked Scientist is not a charity. Here is more evidence that the unpaid internship is wicked: “How young people's lives have been destroyed by the cuts” | Money | The Guardian http://www.theguardian.com/money/2014/mar/17/young-people-cuts-benefits-unemployment-housing This also mentions charities. I don't know about anyone else, but the fact that an employer is a charity does not make this practice less smelly. I wonder what the response would be if an arms maker ran recruited interns. Instead, they go out of their way to recruit adequately paid apprentices. Apprenticeships - BAE Systems http://www.baesystems.com/careers-rzz/careers-in-the-uk/apprenticeships?_afrLoop=413933255215000 <http://www.baesystems.com/careers-rzz/careers-in-the-uk/apprenticeships?_afrLoop=413933255215000&_afrWindowMode=0&_afrWindowId=null&baeSessionId=XfVvTyLMS2kh4VRHxmltchyXKBcDBKHhxwkFh51ynBsd2Gf2TJ19!-1646284472#> &_afrWindowMode=0&_afrWindowId=null&baeSessionId=XfVvTyLMS2kh4VRHxmltchyXKBcDBKHhxwkFh51ynBsd2Gf2TJ19!-1646284472# or http://tinyurl.com/nuo6rew MK From: psci-com: on public engagement with science [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Imran Khan Sent: 2014-March-18 11:05 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: [PSCI-COM] Naked Scientists/MRC prize internships open Charities do indeed have to comply with minimum wage laws for employees - they just have an extra category of 'volunteer' who might only be entitled to expenses. As far as I know, the definitions of that are a bit fuzzy. I''d imagine both MRC and the University of Cambridge have legal/HR expertise who can (or perhaps already have) advised TNS, as it's not an easy area to navigate in terms of the legality. https://www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage/who-gets-the-minimum-wage On 18 March 2014 10:57, Francis Sedgemore <[log in to unmask]> wrote: I’ve copied the details to the NUJ legal department for comment, but the likelihood is that my colleagues there will judge the matter not worth pursuing, owing to the legal ambiguities involved. For example, the Naked Scientists intern will be sponsored by the Medical Research Council, a statutory body, but from what I can see not directly responsible to the council. Statutory bodies are exempt from Minimum Wage regulations, as are charities. The thing about charities is that independent corporate bodies associated with them often claim charitable status by virtue of that association. Could this be challenged in law? Possibly, but to do so would require substantial legal and financial resources. The Naked Scientist internship is for a student, but from what I can see does not appear to be an integral “part of a UK-based further or higher education course”, in which case it would be exempt from minimum wage regulations. Can an employer arbitrarily target internships at registered students, and in this way claim Minimum Wage exemption? It’s a good question, and one that could surely be answered with a little legal probing. Francis On 17 Mar 14, at 22:00, Michael Kenward <[log in to unmask]> wrote: I hope it is a charity. If Eton qualifies, then this lot should. TNS seems be associated with the University of Cambridge, famously charitable in taking in waifs and strays from public schools. The list of sponsors is impressive. No arms dealers in sight. Do they know about this possible excursion from legality? By the way, I should say that I am a long-time fan of the TNS. Right on about the rest though. Yet more opportunities for middle-class kids MK From: Gary Kerr [ <mailto:[log in to unmask]> mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: 2014-March-17 19:49 To: <mailto:[log in to unmask]> [log in to unmask] Cc: <mailto:[log in to unmask]> [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: [PSCI-COM] Naked Scientists/MRC prize internships open Unless Naked Scientists is a charity (are they?), then I'm not sure how this is legal. Even if they are a charity, then surely this is internship excludes working class students, or students who don't have savings/family to rely on... Gary. On 17 Mar 2014, at 19:21, Michael Kenward < <mailto:[log in to unmask]> [log in to unmask]> wrote: Sorry to bang on. £1000 for 10 weeks is £100 a week. 40 hours at the minimum wage, currently £6.31 an hour, is a touch over £250 a week. So, not an unpaid internship, but hardly paid. MK From: psci-com: on public engagement with science [ <mailto:[log in to unmask]> mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf OfKat Arney Sent: 2014-March-17 12:44 To: <mailto:[log in to unmask]> [log in to unmask] Subject: [PSCI-COM] Naked Scientists/MRC prize internships open Please pass this on to any students you know who might be interested: Looking to kick-start a career in science media? The Naked Scientists have an opening for an intern to join their award-winning team this summer. The successful applicant, who will also receive a cash award of £1000, will spend a period of 8 – 10 weeks gaining experience in making science radio programmes and podcasts, web development, science writing, video editing and production. "The Naked Scientists" broadcasts on BBC radio stations across the UK, and worldwide as a podcast, which is consistently near the top of the iTunes Science podcast charts in the UK, US, Canada and Australia. This internship, which is supported by the Medical Research Council (MRC), is open to UK-based students (including Masters and PhD students and recent graduates) who hold or are registered for a science or engineering-based University degree. More info here: <http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/front/naked-scientists-mrc-prize-internship/> http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/front/naked-scientists-mrc-prize-internship/ Thanks, Kat Dr Kat Arney Science Communications Manager Cancer Research UK NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER This e-mail (including any attachments) is intended for the above-named person(s). If you are not the intended recipient, notify the sender immediately, delete this email from your system and do not disclose or use for any purpose. We may monitor all incoming and outgoing emails in line with current legislation. 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