Just in case you’ve been too busy mopping the sweat out of your eyes from your sweltering morning commute, Ed wants to make sure that you’re aware of the biggest, most noteworthy and groundbreaking news to hit magazine interns since, well, ever.
On Thursday, July 12, U.S. District Judge Harold Baer ruled the lawsuit filed on Feb. 2, 2012 by Outten & Golden LLP on behalf of former Harper’s BAZAAR unpaid intern Xuedan (Diana) Wang as a class-action case. And now, unpaid interns who worked at Hearst Magazines dating back to February 2009 (it may be extended as far back as 2006) have the opportunity to step forward and be a part of it..
During her days as the mag’s accessories intern, Wang stated that she worked anywhere between 40-55 hours a week while receiving no compensation — a situation that Ed is sure at least a handful of you young whippersnappers have experienced.
But the gratis help isn’t what has Ed so worked up about this case; it’s because it also lists that students who have to purchase academic credit (which can be up to a few thousand dollars) to intern for free in the first place is unlawful. How many of you have paid to work for free? Ed suspects quite a few.
Young whippersnappers, Ed is urging you to take a step back and think about your future internships and how this will affect not only the magazine industry but your careers in mags. Will it affect entry-level editorial jobs? Will it mean fewer and therefore more competitive internships? Will it equal the playing field, allowing more people who can’t afford to work for free entry into the industry — or shut everyone out?
Ed wants to know: What are your thoughts and predictions? Facebook timeline to tell him where you stand!
Meet Ed’s Summer 2012 Trust Fund Winner: Meaghan O’Connor